W3 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


THE 


HISTORY  OF  BIRDS; 

THEIR 

VARIETIES  AND  ODDITIES: 

COMPRISING 

QRAPHIC   DESCRIPTIONS 


OF 


Nearly  ail  Known  Species  of  Birds,  with  Fishes  and  Insects,  the  World  over,  and 
Illustrating  their  Vaned  Habits,  Modes  of  Life,  and  Distinguishing  Pecu- 
liarities by  Means  of  Delightful  Anecdotes  and  Spirited  Engravings. 


Prepared  after  Laborious  Personal  Research ;  with  the  Aid  of  the  Great  Works 

of  Cuvier,  Buffon,  Wood,  Dallas,  ETuttall,  Bonaparte,  Agazzis, 

Jardine,  Brewer,  and  many  others ; 

BY 

REV.  W.  SINGLE Y,  A.M. 


OVER    BOO    SPIRITED    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PHILADELPHIA : 
EDGEWOOD  PUBLISHING  CO. 


COPYRIGHTED, 
ACCORDING  TO  ACT  OF  CONGRESS. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

ON  THE  STUDY  OF  NATURE  13 

BIRDS  '. 27 

PIES 78 

PASSERINE  BIRDS 143 

GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS 245 

WADERS  •. 303 

SWIMMERS 357 

FISHES 411 

APODAL  FISH 411 

JUGULAR  FISH 418 

THORACIC     "  421 

ABDOMINAL  "  435 

CHONDROPTERYGIOUS  FISH  456 

INSECTS 471 

COLEOPTEROUS  INSECTS 471 

HEMIPTEROUS         "      491 

LEPIDOPTEROUS      " 502 

NEUROPTEROUS       "     * 511 

HYMENOPTEROUS    "      ., 514 

DIPTEROUS              "      ....* 530 

APTEROUS              *v      535 

(5) 


JVJ36S7P6 


INDEX  OF  SUBJECTS. 


A. 

PAGE 

Adjutant   316 

Albatross 389 

Amazon  Ant 513 

Anchovy  • • 450 

Angler 467 

Ant  Eater 513 

Ants 513 

Aphides 519 

Aphis 500 

Apteryx 300 

Au)ss, 380 

Avocet 346 


B. 


Barbel 468 

Bedbugs 534 

Bees 522 

Beetles 471 

Bird  of  Paradise 118 

Bittern 317 

Blackbird 152* 

Blennies 469 

Bluebird 197 

Boat-bill..... 314 

Bob-o-link 154 

Booby 398 

Bombardier 487 

Borers 478 

Bugs 498 


Bullfinch  166 

Bull-comber 471 

Bunting ;  167 

Bustards 286 

Butterfly 503 

Buzzard 36 

C. 

Canary-finch 173 

Carabus 487 

Carp 451 

Carrion  Crow 103 

Cassowary 298 

Cat-bird 195 

Cedar  or  Cherry  Bird 210 

Centipedes .'  558 

Cerambyx  or  Capricorn 484 

Chactodon •. 426 

Chafiinch 143 

Chaja 308 

Chatterer 211 

Cheese-mite 469 

Chick-a-dee 209 

Chigoe 540 

Chub 452 

Cicadae 496 

Coal  Tit 208 

Cochin-china 264 

Cochineal 501 

Coccinella 482 

(7) 


INDEX   OF   SUBJECTS. 


PAGE 

Cock 258 

Cockatoos  92 

Cock-chafer 472 

Cockroach 491 

Codfish 418 

Condor 28 

Coot 352 

Corn-weevil 483 

Corvorant 395 

Crab 549 

Crane ! 303 

Crane-fly  530 

Craw-fish 557 

Creeper  135 

Cricket 493 

Cross-bill 161 

Crow-blackbird 156 

Crows 99 

Cuckoo 121 

Curculio 483 

Curlew 319 

Cynips 504 


D. 


Dabchick 354 

Dace 453 

Darter 402 

Day-fly 511 

Dermestes 478 

Devil-fish 468 

Divers 404 

Dodo 301,  302 

Dog-fish 462 

Doree 422 

Dorking  Fowl 265 

Dotterel 334 

Dragon-fly 511 

Ducks 357 

Dunlin 330 


E. 

PAQE 

Eagle 38-50 

Earwig 489 

Eel   411 

Eider  Duck 364 

Emu 300 

Esculent  Swallow 220 


F. 


Falcon 38 

Fieldfare   99 

Finch 169 

Flamingo 361 

Flatfish 423 

Flea 539 

Flounder  426 

Fly  511-531 

Flying-fish 443 

Fly-catcher  176 

Fowls 258 


G. 


Gad-fly 460 

Gadwall  or  Grey 370 

Gall-insect 514 

Gallinule   341 

Gannet 396 

Garganey 369 

Gentil  Falcon 59 

Glow-worm 485 

Gnat 533 

Goat-sucker 74 

Godwit 322 

Goldfinch 172 

Goldfish  ,. 454 

Goosander 366 

Goose 360 

Goshawk 60 

Grayling 440 


INDEX   OF   SUBJECTS. 


PAGE 

Grebe,  or  daunt 352 

Greenfinch 163 

Grouse 273 

Grosbeaks 161 

Gudgeon   .' 452 

Guinea  Fowl 272 

Guillemot   389 

Gulls    .: 406 

Gurnard 434 

Gynmotus  413 

H. 

Haddock 419 

Hake-fish 420 

Hawk 63 

Hawkmoth 506 

Hedge  Accentor,  or  Sparrow. ...  1 95 

Hen  Harrier 60 

Heron 303-310 

Herring 445 

Holibut 425 

Hoopoe 223 

Hornbill 97 

Hornet 517 

Humming  Bird 137 


I. 


Ibis 


345 


J. 


Jackdaw 108 

Jager,  Richardson' s 408 

Jay 109 

K. 
King  Bird 176 


Kingfisher 132 

Kinglet,  Fiery-Crowned 1 96 

Kite 59 


Lady-bug 482 

Lamprey  466 

Lark , 144 

Lasher  469 

Ling 420 

Linnet  169 

Loach 468 

Lobster 552 

Locust  492 

Locust-eating  Thrush 160 

Loon 405 

Louse 538 

Lucanus 476 

Lumpsucker 470 

Lyre-bird  225 

Lytta 48$ 


M. 

Macaw 90 

Mackerel 429 

Magpie Ill 

Mantis 491 

May-fly 510! 

Megapode 252^ 

Merganser,  hooded  410 

Missel,  or  Misseltoe  Thrush 15G 

Mocking-bird 157 

Monk-fish   462 

Moths 506 

Mullet 441 

Musk  374 

Musquito s 534 


10 


INDEX    OF    SUBJECTS. 


N. 

PAGE 

Nightingale , .   187 

Nut-hatch .131 


O. 

Oriole 113 

Osprey  . 53 

Ostrich 292 

Ouzel,  water 145 

Oven  bird 117 

Owls 66-74 

Ox-bird,  or  Dunlin 330 


P. 


Papuan  Podargus 75 

Parrots 81 

Partridge 280 

Peacock 250 

Pelicans 391 

Penguins 384 

Perch 428 

Peregrine  Falcon 64 

Peristera  238 

Petrel 385 

Phalarope 356 

Phasianella 240 

Pheasant 253 

Pigeons 226 

Pike 440 

Pill-chafer 475 

Pilchard 448 

Pintado  Tribe 271 

Pipit,  meadow 184 

Plaise 423-426 

Plant-lice 499 

Plovers 333 

Porcupine,  sea 470 

Prawn 554 


Ptarmigan 279 

Ptinus 478 

Purre 324 


Q. 


Qua-bird 312 

Quail 284 


R. 


Rail 338 

Rapacious  birds 27 

Raven 101 

Ray 464 

Red-breast 191 

Redstart 148 

American 178 

Remora   421 

Rice-bird « 1 54 

Ring-dove 229 

Roach 453 

Robin 192 

Rock-dove 243 

Rook 105 

Rose-chafer 474 

Ruff,  or  Reeve 329 


S. 


Salmon 435 

Sawfly 514 

Sandpiper  328 

Wilson's  331 

Sand-wasp 516 

Scarabseus 471 

Scorpion 548 

Sea-horse 467 

Shad 449 

Shark 457-462 


INDEX   OF    SUBJECTS. 


11 


Shrike,  great  or  cinereous 78 

Shrimp 554 

Silkworm 507 

Silurus 469 

Siskin    195 

Skate 465 

Skimmer 409 

Skippers 486 

Smelt 439 

Snipe 3!9 

Spanish-fly 488 

Sparrow 1 70 

Sparrow-hawk   62 

Spheges 516 

Spiders 542 

Spider-fly 534 

Spoonbill 348 

Sprat   449 

Stag-beetle 476 

Starling 143 

Stilt   334 

Stork   304 

Sturgeon 456 

Sucking-fish    421 

Surmullets 433 

Swallows  c 212 

Swan 357 

Sword-fish : 416 

Sylphse 480 


T. 


Tailor-bird 203 

Talpicoti 237 

Tarantula 548 

Tatler 348 

Teal    373 

Tench 452 

Termes 535 

Tern 409 


PAGE 

Thornback 466 

Thoracic  Fish 421 

Thrush 150 

Thunny  Fish 43 1 

Tick   541 

Titmice 204 

Torpedo 464 

Toucan 93 

Trogon 223 

Trout 437 

Trumpeter 290 

Turbot 423 

Turkey 245-252 

Turnstone   330 


U. 


Umber 440 


V. 


Vinago 244 

Vireo,  red-eyed ]  80 

Vultures   31-36 


W. 

Wagtail 189 

Warbler,  garden 1 49 

Warblers 1 93 

Wasp  517 

Waxwing,  or  chatterer 211 

Weevil 433 

Whame-fly    532 

Wheat-ear 148 

Whidah 167 


12 


INDEX   OF    SUBJECTS. 


Whip-poor-will 75 

Whiting 419 

Widgeon 371 

Wolf-fish  .  .413 


PAGE 


Woodcock 323 

Wood-pecker  128 

Wren 193 

Wryneck 130 


ON  THE  STUDY  OF  NATURE. 


There  is  no  division  of  the  animal  world  in  which  we  are  more  led  to  admire  th« 
wisdom  of  the  Supreme  Being,  than  in  the  different  feathered  tribes.  Their  struc- 
ture and  habits  of  life  are  wonderfully  fitted  for  the  various  functions  they  have  to 
perform.  Their  bodies  are  clad  with  feathers,  which  form  an  envelope  much  lighter 
than  hair.  These  lie  over  each  other  close  to  the  body,  like  the  tiles  of  a  house  ; 
and  are  arranged  from  the  fore-part  backward,  by  which  means  the  animals  are 
enabled  the  more  conveniently  to  cut  their  way  through  the  air.  For  this  purpose 
also  the  head  is  small  and  the  bill  somewhat  wedge-shaped ;  the  neck  is  long,  and 
easily  movable  in  all  directions ;  and  the  body  slender,  sharp  on  the  under  side,  and 
flat  or  round  on  the  back.  The  bones  likewise  are  hollow,  and  very  light  compara- 
tively with  those  of  terrestrial  animals.  For  the  purpose  of  giving  warmth  to  th« 
body,  a  short  and  soft  down  fills  up  all  the  vacant  spaces  between  the  shafts  of  tho 
feathers. 

Birds  are  enabled  to  rise  into  and  move  from  place  to  place  in  the  air,  by  meanii 
of  the  members  that  are  denominated  wings.  The  muscles  by  which  the  wings  ar« 
move  are  exceedingly  large ;  and  have  been  estimated,  in  some  instances,  to  consti- 
tute not  less  than  a  sixth  part  of  the  weight  of  the  whole  body.  When  a  bird  is  on 
the  ground,  and  intends  to  fly,  he  takes  a  leap,  stretches  his  wings  from  the  body, 
and  strikes  them  downward  with  great  force.  By  this  stroke  the  body  is  thrown 
into  an  oblique  position.  That  part  o  fthe  force  which  tended  upward  is  destroyed 
by  the  weight  of  the  bird  ;  and  the  horizontal  force  serves  to  carry  him  forward. 
The  stroke  being  completed,  he  moves  up  his  wings.  These  being  contracted,  and 
having  their  edges  turned  upward,  meet  with  little  resistance  from  the  air.  When 
they  are  sufficiently  elevated,  the  bird  makes  a  second  stroke  downward,  and  the 
impulse  of  the  air  again  moves  him  forward.  These  successive  strokes  act  as  so 
many  leaps  taken  in  air.  When  the  bird  wants  to  turn  to  the  right  or  left,  he  strikes 
strongly  with  the  opposite  wing,  and  this  impels  him  to  the  proper  side.  The  tail 
acts  like  the  rudder  of  a  ship  ;  except  that  it  moves  him  upward  or  downward,  instead 
of  sideways.  If  the  bird  wants  to  rise,  he  raises  his  tail ;  and  if  to  fall,  he  depresses 
it ;  whilst  he  is  in  an  horizontal  position,  it  keeps  him  steady. 

A  bird,  by  spreading  his  wings,  can  continue  to  move  horizontally  in  the  air  for 
some  time,  without  striking  them ;  because  he  has  acquired  a  sufficient  velocity,  and 
his  wings,  being  parallel  to  the  horizon,  meet  with  but  little  resistance.  When  he 
begins  to  fall,  he  can  easily  steer  himself  upward  by  his  tail,  till  the  motion  he  had 
acquired  is  nearly  spent ;  he  must  then  renew  it  by  two  or  three  more  strokes  of  his 
wings.  On  alighting,  he  expands  his  wings  and  tail  full  against  the  air,  that  they 
may  meet  with  all  the  resistance  possible. 

The  centre  of  gravity  in  birds  is  somewhat  behind  the  wings ;  and,  to  counterbal- 
ance this,  most  of  them  maybe  observed  to  thrust  out  their  head  and  neck  in  flying. 
This  is  very  apparent  in  the  flight  of  Ducks,  Geese,  and  several  other  species  of 
water-fowl,  whose  centre  of  gravity  is  further  backward  than  in  the  land  birds.  In 
the  Heron,  on  the  contrary,  whose  long  head  and  neck,  although  folded  up  in  flight, 
overbalance  the  rest  of  the  bodv,  the  long  legs  are  extended,  in  order  to  give  the  proper 
counterpoise,  and  to  supply  what  is  wanting  from  the  shortness  of  the  tail. 

The  feathers  of  birds  would  perpetually  imbibe  the  moisture  of  the  atmosphere ; 
and,  during  rain,  would  absorb  so  much  wet,  as  to  impede  their  flight,  had  not  the 
wisdom  of  Providence  obviated  this  inconvenience  by  a  most  effectual  expedient. 
They  are  each  furnished  on  the  rump  with  two  glands,  in  which  a  quantity  of  unctu- 
ous matter  is  constantly  secreting.  This  is  occasionally  pressed  out  by  the  bill,  aj  d 
used  for  the  lubrication  of  the  feathers.  The  birds  that  share,  as  it  were,  the  hal  i- 
tations  of  man,  and  live  principally  under  cover,  do  not  require  so  great  a  supply, 
and  therefore  are  not  provided  with  so  large  a  stock  of  this  fluid,  as  thosje  that  rove 
abroad,  and  reside  in  the  open  element.  It  is  on  this  account  that  poultry,  when 
wet,  make  the  ruffled  and  uncomfortable  appearance  that  we  observe. 

(13) 


14  FUNCTIONS  OF  BIRDS. 

As  birds  are  continually  passing  among  the  hedges  and  thickets,  their  eyes  are  de- 
fended from  injury  by  a  membrane,  which  can  at  pleasure  be  drawn  over  the  whole 
eye  like  a  curtain.  'This  is  neither  opaque  nor  wholly  pellucid,  but  is  somewhat 
transparent.  In  birds  we  find  that  the  sight  is  much  more  piercing,  extensive,  and 
exact,  than  in  the  other  orders  of  animals.  The  eye  is  large  in  proportion  to  the 
bulk  of  the  head.  This  is  a  superiority  conferred  upon  them  not  without  a  corres- 
ponding utility;  it  seems  even  indispensable  to  their  safety  and  subsistence.  "Were 
this  organ  dull,  or  were  it,  in  the  least  degree,  opaque,  the  rapidity  of  their  motion 
would  expose  them  to  the  danger  of  striking  against  various  objects  in  their  flight. 
Jn  this  case  their  celerity,  instead  of  being  an  advantage,  would  become  an  evil,  and 
their  flight  would  be  restrained  by  the  danger  resulting  from  it.  Indeed,  we  maj 
consider  the  velocity  with  which  an  animal  moves,  as  a  sure  indication  of  the  perfec- 
tion of  its  vision. 

Birds  respire  by  means  of  air-vessels,  that  are  extended  through  their  whole  body, 
and  adhere  to  the  under  surface  of  the  bones.  These,  by  their  motion,  force  the  ait 
through  the  true  lungs,  which  are  very  small,  seated  in  the  uppermost  part  of  the 
chest,  and  closely  braced  down  to  the  back  and  ribs.  The  use  of  this  general  diffu- 
sion of  air  through  the  bodies  of  birds,  is  to  prevent  their  respiration  from  being 
stopped  or  interrupted  by  the  rapidity  of  their  motion  through  a  resisting  medium. 
The  resistance  of  the  air  increases  in  proportion  to  the  celerity  of  the  motion ;  and 
were  it  possible  for  a  man  to  move  with  swiftness  equal  to  that  of  a  Swallow,  the 
resistance  of  the  air,  as  he  is  not  furnished  with  reservoirs  similar  to  those  of  birds, 
would  soon  suffocate  him. 

Some  species  of  birds  are  confined  to  particular  countries ;  others  are  widely  dis- 
persed ;  and  several  change  their  abode  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year,  and  migrate 
to  climates  better  suited  to  their  temperament  or  mode  of  life  than  those  which  they 
leave.  Many  of  our  own  birds,  directed  by  a  peculiar  and  unerring  instinct,  retire, 
before  the  commencement  of  the  cold  season,  to  the  southern  districts,  and  again 
return  in  the  spring.  The  causes  usually  assigned  for  migration  are,  either  a  defect 
of  food,  or  the  want  of  a  secure  and  proper  asylum  for  incubation,  and  the  nutrition 
of  their  offspring. 

It  appears  from  very  accurate  observations,  founded  on  numerous  experiments, 
that  the  peculiar  notes,  or  sony,  of  the  different  species  of  Birds,  are  acquired,  and 
are  no  more  innate  than  language  is  in  man.  The  attempt  of  a  nestling  bird  to  sing, 
may  be  compared  with  the  imperfect  endeavor  of  a  child  to  talk.  The  first  essay 
seems  not  to  possess  the  slightest  rudiments  of  the  future  song ;  but,  as  the  bird 
grows  older,  and  stronger,  it  is  not  difficult  to  perceive  what  he  is  attempting. 
Whilst  the  scholar  is  thus  endeavoring  to  form  his  song,  when,  he  is  once  sure  of  a 
passage,  he  commonly  raises  his  tone ;  but  when  unable  to  execute  the  passage,  he 
drops  it.  What  the  nestling  is  thus  not  thoroughly  master  of,  he  hurries  over; 
lowering  his  tone,  as  if  he  did  not  wish  to  be  heard,  and  as  if  he  could  not  yet  satisfy 
himself.  A  common  Sparrow,  taken  from  the  nest  when  very  young,  and  placed 
near  a  Linnet  and  Goldfinch,  adopted  a  song  that  was  a  mixture  of  the  notes  of  these- 
two.  Three  nestling  Linnets  were  educated,  one  under  a  Sky-lark,  another  under  a 
Wood-lark,  and  the  third  under  a  Tit-lark ;  and,  instead  of  the  song  peculiar  to  their 
own  species,  they  adhered  entirely  to  that  of  their  respective  instructors.  A  Linnet 
taken  from  the  nest  when  about  three  days  old,  and  brought  up  in  the  house  of  Mr 
Matthews,  an  apothecary,  at  Kensington,  having  no  other  sounds  to  imitate,  almost 
articulated  the  words  "  pretty  boy  ;"  and  a  few  other  short  sentences.  The  owner  ol 
ibis  bird  said,  that  it  had  neither  the  note  nor  the  call  of  any  bird  whatever.  It 
died  in  the  year  1772. 

These,  and  other  well-authenticated  facts,  tend  to  prove  that  Birds  have  no  innate 
notes,  but  that,  like  mankind,  the  language  they  first  learn  after  they  come  into  the 
world,  is  generally  that  which  they  adopt  in  after  life.  It  may,  however,  seem  unac- 
countable, why,  in  a  wild  state,  they  adhere  so  steadily  as  they  do  to  the  song  of 
their  own  species  only,  when  the  notes  of  so  many  others  are  to  be  heard  around 
them.  This  evidently  arises  from  the  attention  that  is  paid  by  the  nestling  bird  to 
the  instructions  of  its  own  parent  only,  and  it  is  generally  disregarding  the  notes  of 
all  the  rest.  Persons,  however,  who  have  an  accurate  ear,  and  have  studied  the 
notes  of  birds,  can  very  often  distinguish  some  that  have  a  song  mixed  with  the 
notes  of  other  species. 

ITie  food  of  birds  is  of  course  very  different  in  the  different  kinds.     Some  are 


FUNCTIONS   OF   BIRDS.  15 

altogether  carnivorous  ;  others,  as  many  of  the  web-footed  tribes,  live  on  fish  ;  eomo 
on  insects  and  worms,  and  many  on  fruits  or  grain.  The  extraordinary  powers  of 
the  gizzard  in  the  graminivorous  tribes,  in  comminuting  their  hard  food,  so  as  to  pro- 
pare  it  for  digestion,  are  such  as  almost  to  exceed  credibility.  In  order  to  ascertain 
the  strength  of  these  stomachs,  the  Abbe  Spallanzani  made  many  cruel,  though  at 
the  same  time  curious  and  not  uninteresting  experiments.  Tin  tubes  full  of  grain 
were  forced  into  the  stomachs  of  Turkeys  ;  and,  after  remaining  twenty  hours,  were 
found  to  be  broken,  compressed,  and  distorted  in  a  most  irregular  manner.  The 
stomach  of  a  Cock,  in  the  space  of  twenty-four  hours,  broke  off  the  angles  of  a 
piece  of  rough,  jagged  glass  ;  and,  on  examining  the  gizzard,  no  wound  or  laceration 
appeared,  Twelve  strong  tin  needles  were  firmly  fixed  into  a  ball  of  lead,  with  their 
points  projecting  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  from  the  surface ;  thus  armed,  it  was 
covered  with  a  case  of  paper,  and  forced  down  the  throat  of  a  Turkey.  The  bird 
retained  it  a  day  and  a  half  without  exhibiting  the  least  symptom  of  uneasiness. 
When  the  Turkey  was  killed,  the  points  of  nearly  all  the  needles  were  found  to  be 
broken  off  close  to  the  surface  of  the  ball  Twelve  small  lancets,  very  sharp  both 
at  the  points  and  edges,  were  fixed  in  a  similar  ball  of  lead.  These  were  given  in 
the  same  manner,  to  a  Turkey-cock,  and  left  eight  hours  in  the  stomach ;  at  the 
expiration  of  which  time  that  organ  was  opened,  but  nothing  appeared  except  the 
naked  ball ;  the  twelve  lancets  having  been  all  broken  to  pieces.  From  these  facts 
it  was  concluded,  that  the  stbnes  so  often  found  in  the  stomachs  of  many  of  the 
feathered  tribes,  are  highly  useful  in  assisting  the  gastric  juices  to  grind  down  the 
grain  and  other  hard  substances  which  constitute  their  food.  The  stones  themselves, 
also,  being  ground  down  and  separated  by  the  powerful  action  of  the  gizzard,  are 
mixed  with  the  food,  and  no  doubt  contribute  to  the  health  as  well  as  to  the  nutri- 
ment of  the  animals. 

All  birds  are  oviparous,  or  produce  eggs,  from  which,  after  the  process  of  incuba- 
tion, the  young  are  extruded.  These  eggs  differ  in  the  different  species,  in  number, 
figure,  and  color.  They  contain  the  rudiments  of  the  future  offspring ;  for  the 
maturation  and  bringing  to  perfection  of  which,  in  the  incubation,  there  is  a  bubble 
of  air  at  the  large  end,  betwixt  the  shell  and  the  inside  skin.  It  is  supposed  that,  from 
the  warmth  communicated  by  the  sitting  bird  to  this  confined  air,  its  spring  is  in- 
creased beyond  its  natural  tenor,  and,  afthe  same  time,  its  parts  are  put  into  motion 
by  the  gentle  rarefaction.  Hence  pressure  and  motion  are  communicated  to  the 
parts  of  the  egg  ;  and  these,  in  some  unknown  manner,  gradually  promote  the  for- 
mation and  growth  of  the  young  one,  till  the  appointed  time  of  its  exclusion.  The 
use  of  that  part  of  the  egg  called  the  treddle,  is  not  only  to  retain  the  different 
liquids  in  their  proper  places,  but  also  to  keep  the  same  part  of  the  yolk  uppermost ; 
which  it  will  effectually  do,  though  the  egg  be  turned  nearly  every  way.  The 
mechanism  seems  to  be  this :  the  treddle  is  specifically  lighter  than  the  white  in 
which  it  swims ;  and  being  connected  with  the  membranes  of  the  yolk,  at  a  point 
somewhat  out  of  the  direction  of  its  axis,  this  causes  one  side  to  become  heavier 
than  the  other.  Thus  the  yolk,  being  made  buoyant  in  the  midst  of  the  white,  is, 
by  its  own  heavy  side,  kept  with  the  same  part  always  uppermost. 

The  nests  of  birds  are,  in  general,  constructed  with  astonishing  art ;  and  with  a 
degree  of  architectural  skill  and  propriety,  that  would  foil  all  the  boasted  talents  of 
man  to  imitate. 

'Mark  it  well,  within,  without : 
No  tool  had  he  that  wrought ;  no  knife  to  cut, 
No  nail  to  fix,  no  bodkin  to  insert, 
No  glue  to  join  ;  his  little  beak  was  all. 
And  yet,  how  neatly  finish'd  !     What  nice  hand, 
With  every  implement  and  means  of  art, 
And  twenty  years'  apprenticeship  to  boot, 
Could  make  me  such  another  ?     Fondly  then 
We  boast  of  excellence,  whose  noblest  skill 
Instinctive  genius  foils. 

In  most  of  the  species  both  the  male  and  female  assist  in  this  interesting  operation. 
They  each  bring  materials  to  the  place  :  first  sticks,  moss,  or  straws,  for  the  founda- 
tion and  exterior :  »then  hair,  wool,  or  the  down  of  animals  or  plants,  to  form  a  soft 
and  commodious  bed  for  the  eggs,  and  for  the  bodies  of  their  tender  young,  when 
batched.  The  outsides  of  the  nests  bear  in  general  so  great  a  resemblance  in  coloi 


16  FUNCTIONS  OF  BIRDS. 

to  the  surrounding  foliage  or  branches,  as  not  easily  to  be  discovered  even  by  per 
eons  who  are  in  search  of  them. 

This  is  one  of  those  numerous  and  wonderful  contrivances  which  compel  us  to 
believe  that  every  part  of  the  creation  is  under  the  protection  of  a  superintending 
Itetttg,  whose  goodness  knows  no  bounds.  Without  this,  what  can  we  suppose  it  ia 
that  instigates  a  creature  which  may  never  before  have  had  young,  to  form  a  nest, 
hollow,  for  the  purpose  of  containing  eggs  ;  (things  that  as  yet  it  knows  nothing  of ;) 
wid  of  concentrating  a  necessary  proportion  of  heat  for  the  incubation  ?  Without 
this,  what  can  we  suppose  it  is  that  dictates  the  necessity  of  forming  the  outside  of 
this  nest  with  coarse  materials,  as  a  foundation,  and  of  lining  its  interior  with  more 
delicate  substances  ?  How  do  these  animals  learn  that  they  are  to  have  eggs,  and 
that  these  eggs  will  require  a  nest  of  a  certain  size  and  capacity?  Who  is  it  that 
teaches  them  to  calculate  the  time  with  such  exactness,  that  they  never  lay  their 
eggs  before  the  receptacle  for  them  is  finished  ?  No  one  can  surely  be  so  blind  as 
to  observe  all  this,  and  not  to  perceive  the  superintendence  of  a  beneficent  wisdom 
influencing  every  operation. 

The  classification  of  birds  is  principally  founded  on  their  habits  of  life ;  and  on 
the  formation  of  their  external  parts,  particularly  of  their  bills.     The  grand  divisi 
is  into  LAND  BIRDS  and  WATER  BIROS. 


LAND   BIRDS. 

1.  Rapacious  Birds  (accipitres],  have  their  bill  hooked ;  and  on  each  side  of  th« 
upper  mandible  there  is  an  angular  projection.     They  consist  of  Vultures,  Eagle* 
or  Hawks,  and  Owls.     These  birds  are  all  carnivorous,  and  associate  in  pairs;  and 
the  female  is  generally  larger  and  stronger  than  the  male. 

2.  Pies  (piece).     These  have  their  bills  sharp  at  the  edge,  compressed  at  the  sides, 
and  convex  on  the  upper  surface.     The  principal  genera  are  Shrikes,  Crows,  Rollors, 
Orioles,  Grackles,  Humming-birds,  Parrots,  Toucans,  Cuckoos,  Woodpeckers,  Horn- 
bills,  and   Kingfishers.     Some  of  them  associate  in  pairs,  and  others  congregate. 
They  live  on  various  kinds  of  food  ;  and  usually  build  their  nests  in  trees,  the  mill* 
feeding  the  female  during  the  process  of  incubation. 

3.  Passerine  Birds  (passeres),  have  a  conical,  sharp-pointed  bill.     To  this  order 
belong  the  Finches,  Grosbeaks,  Buntings,  Thrushes,  Fly-catchers,  Swallows,  Laiks, 
Wagtails,  Titmice,  and  Pigeons.     While  breeding  they  live  chiefly  in  pairs;  and  th» 
nests  of  several  of  the  species  are  of  curious  and  singular  construction.    The  greater 
number  of  them  sing.    Some  of  them  subsist  on  seeds,  and  others  on  insects. 

4.  Gallinaceous  Birds  (yallinaz).     The  bills  of  these  birds  have  the  upper  mandi 
ble  considerably  arched,     Pheasants,  Turkeys,  Peacocks,  Bustards,  Pintadoes,  and 
Grouse,  all  belong  to  this  order.     They  live  principally  on  the  ground  ;  and  scratch 
the  earth  with  their  feet  for  the  purpose  of  finding  grain  and  seeds.    They  usually 
associate  in  families,  consisting  of  one  male  and  several  females.    Their  nests  are 
artlessly  formed  on  the  ground ;  and  the  females  produce  a  numerous  offspring 


WATER  BIRDS. 

5.  Waders'  (grattce ).    These  have  a  roundish  bill,  and  a  fleshy  tongue ;  and  the 
legs  of  most  of  the  species  are  long.    The  principal  genera  are  the  Herons,  Plovers, 
Snipes,  and  Sandpipers,  which  live  for  the  most  part  among  marshes  and  fens,  and 
feed  on  worms  and  other  animal  productions.    They  form  nests  on  the  ground. 

6.  Swimmers  (anseres).     The  bills  of  these  birds  are  broad  at  the  top,  and  covered 
with  a  membranaceous  skin.    The  tribes  best  known  are  the  Ducks,  Auks,  Pen- 
guins, Petrels,  Pelicans,  Guillemots,  Gulls,  and  Terns.    They  live  chiefly  in  the 
water,  and  feed  on  fish,  worms,  and  aquatic  plants.    Most  of  the  species  are  poly* 
gamous,  and  construct  their  nests  among  reeds  or  in  moist  places.    The  females  lay 
many  eggs. 


FUNCTIONS  OF  FISHES.  17 


FISHES. 

Were  we  acquainted  with  no  other  animals  than  those  which  inhabit  the  land, 
and  breathe  the  air  of  our  atmosphere,  it  would  appear  absurd  to  be  told  that  any 
race  of  beings  could  exist  only  in  the  water :  we  should  naturally  conclude,  from 
the  effect  produced  on  our  own  bodies  when  plunged  into  that  element,  that  the 
powers  of  life  could  not  there  be  sustained.  But  we  find,  from  experience,  that  the 
very  depths  of  the  ocean  are  crowded  with  inhabitants,  which,  in  their  construction, 
modes  of  life,  and  general  design,  are  as  truly  wonderful  as  those  on  the  land.  Their 
history,  however,  must  always  remain  imperfect,  since  the  element  in  which  they 
live  is  beyond  human  access,  and  of  such  vast  dimensions,  as  to  throw  by  far  the 
greater  part  of  them  altogether  out  of  the  reach  of  man. 

That  they  are  in  every  respect,  both  of  external  and  internal  conformation,  well 
adapted  to  their  element  and  modes  of  life,  we  are  not  permitted  to  doubt.  The 
body  is,  in  general,  slender,  flattened  at  the  sides,  and  always  somewhat  pointed  at 
the  head.  This  enables  them,  with  ease,  to  cut  through  the  resisting  medium  which 
they  inhabit.  Some  of  them  are  endowed  with  such  extraordinary  powers  of  pro- 
gressive motion,  that  they  are  able  not  only  to  overtake  the  fastest  sailing  vessels, 
but,  during  the  swiftest  course  of  these,  to  play  round  them  without  any  apparently 
extraordinary  efforts. 

Their  bodies  are  in  general  covered  with  a  kind  of  horny  scales,  to  keep  them  from 
being  injured  by  the  pressure  of  the  watei.  Several  of  them  are  enveloped  with  a 
Cat  and  oily  substance,  to  preserve  them  from  putrefaction,  and  to  guard  them  from 
extreme  cold.  They  breathe  by  means  of  certain  organs  that  are  placed  fa  eack 
ide  of  the  neck,  and  called  gills.  In  this  operation  they  fill  their  mouth  with  water, 
which  they  throw  backward,  with  so  much  force  as  to  lift  open  the  great  flap,  and 
force  it  out  behind.  'And  in  the  passage  of  this  water,  among  the  feather-like  pro- 
cesses of  the  gills,  all,  or  at  least  the  greatest  part,  of  the  air  contained  in  it,  is  left 
behind,  and  carried  into  the  body  to  perform  its  part  in  the  animal  economy.  In 
proof  of  this  fact,  it  has-been  ascertained  that,  if  the  air  be  extracted  from  water 
into  which  fish  are  put,  they  immediately  come  to  the  surface  »nd  gasp  as.  if  for 
breath.  Hence,  distilled  water  is  to  fish  what  the  vacuum  formed  by  an  air-pump  is 
to  most  other  animals.  This  is  the  reason  why,  in  winter,  when  a  fish-pond  is  en- 
tirely frozen  over,  it  is  necessary  to  break  holes  in  the  ice,  not  that  the  fish  may 
come  to  feed,  but  that  they  may  come  to  breathe.  Without  such  precaution,  if  the 
pond  be  small,  and  the  fish  be  numerous,  they  will  die  from  the  corruption  of  the 
water. 

Fisbefl  Are  nearly  of  the  same  specific  gravity  with  water,  and  swim  by  means  of 
their  fins  and  tail.  The  muscular  force  of  the  latter  is  very  great.  Their  direct 
motion  is  obtained  by  moving  the  tail  from  one  side  to  the  other,  with  a  vibrating 
motion ;  and,  by  strongly  bending  the  tail  sideways,  this  part  of  their  body  acts  like 
the  rudder  of  a  ship,  and  enables  them  to  move  in  an  opposite  direction.  The  tins 
of  a  fish  keep  it  upright,  especially  the  belly-fins,  which  act  like  feet ;  without  thesw 
it  would  float  with  its  back  downward,  as  the  centre  of  gravity  lies  near  the  back. 

In  addition  to  the  fins  and  tail,  the  air-bladder  is  of  material  assistance  to  fish  in 
swimming,  as  it  is  by  means  of  this  that  they  increase  or  diminish  the  specific  gravity 
of  their  bodies.  When,  by  their  abdominal  muscles,  they  compress  the  air  contained 
in  this  bladder,  the  bulk  of  their  body  is  diminished,  their  weight  compared  with  that 
of  the  water,  is  increased,  and  they  consequently  sink.  If  they  want  to  rise,  they 
relax  the  pressure  of  the  muscles,  the  air-bladder  again  acquires  its  natural  size,  the 
bo<ly  is  rendered  more  bulky,  and  they  ascend  towards  the  surface.  This  bladder 
lies  in  the  abdomen,  along  the  course  of  the  back-bone.  In  some  fish  it  is  single, 
and  in  others  double.  The  air  appears  to  be  conveyed  into  it  from  the  blood,  by 
means  of  vessels  appropriated  to  that  purpose,  and  it  can  be  discharged  thence  either 
into  the  stomach  or  the  mouth.  Those  fish  which  are  destitute  of  air-bladders  have 
much  less  facility  in  elevating  themselves  in  the  water  than  any  others.  Th« 


18 


FUNCTIONS  OF  FISHES. 


greater  number  of  them,  consequently,  remain  at  the  bottom,  unless  the  fcrm  of  their 
body  enables  them  to  strike  the  water  downwards  with  great  force.  This  the  Skate, 
the  Thornback,  and  other  species  of  Rays  do  with  their  large  pectoral  fins,  which 
are  of  such  size  and  strength  as  almost  to  resemble  wings  ;  and  the  mode  in  which 
these  fish  elevate  themselves  in  the  water,  is  precisely  the  same  as  that  which  ia 
employed  by  birds  in  flying. 

The  teeth  of  fish  are  usually  situated  in  their  jaws :  in  some  species,  however, 
there  are  teeth  on  the  tongue  and  palate,  and  even  in  the  .throat.  These  are 
generally  sharp-pointed  and  immovable ;  but  in  the  Carp  they  are  obtuse,  and  in  the 
Pike  so  movable  as  to  appear  fixed  only  to  the  skin.  The  tongue  is  in  general 
motionless  and  fleshy.  Being  furnished  with  nostrils  and  olfactory  nerves,  there  can 
bu  little  doubt  that  fishes  possess  the  sense  of  smelling. 

The  bones  of  these  animals  are  formed  of  a  kind  of  intermediate  substance,  between 
true  bones  and  cartilages.  The  back-bone  extends  through  the  whole  length  of  the 
body,  and  consists  of  vertebrae,  strong  and  thick  toward  the  head,  but  weaker  and 
more  slender  as  they  approach  the  tail.  The  ribs  are  attached  to  the  processes 
of  the  vertebrae,  and  enclose  the  breast  and  abdomin.  Several  fish,  as  the  Bays, 
have  no  ribs ;  and  others,  as  the  Eel  and  Sturgeon,  have  very  short  ones.  In 
many  of  the  species  there  are  small  bones  between  the  muscles,  to  assist  their  motion. 

The  sight  of  fishes  is  perhaps  the  most  perfect  of  all  their  senses.  The  eye,  in 
general,  is  covered  with  the  same  transparent  skin  that  covers  the  rest  of  the 
head  ;  the  use  of  which  is  probably,  to  defend  this  organ  in  the  water,  for  none  of  the 
species  have  eyelids.  The  globe  of  the  eye  is  somewhat  depressed  in  front,  and  it  is 
famished  behind  with  a  muscle,  which  serves  to  lengthen  or  flatten  it,  as  the  animal 
may  require.  The  crystalline  humor,  which  in  quadrupeds  is  flattened,  is  in  fishes 
nearly  globular.  The  eyes  of  fish  are  usually  thought  to  be  immovable,  but  thia 
does  not  appear  to  be  the  case  :  those  of  some  species  are  known  to  turn  in  tha 
sockets. 

In  fishes  the  organ  of  hearing  is  placed  at  the  sides  of  the  skull ;  but  differing  in 
this  respect  *'rom  that  in  quadrupeds  and  birds,  it  ia  entirely  distinct  and  detached 
from  it.  In  some  fishes,  as  those  of  the  Ray  kind,  the  organ  of  hearing  is  wnol'j 
surrounded  by  the  parts  containing  the  cavity  of  the  skull :  in  others,  as  the  Salmon 
and  Cod,  it  is  partly  within  the  skull.  In  its  structure  this  organ  is  by  no  means 
so  complicated  as  in  quadrupeds  and  other  animals  that  live  in  the  air.  Some 
genera,  as  the  Rays,  have  the  external  orifice  very  small,  and  placed  upon  the  upper 
surface  of  the  head ;  but  in  others  there  is  no  external  opening  whatever. 

The  food  of  these  animals  is  extremely  various.  Insects,  worms,  or  the  spawn  of 
other  fish,  sustain  the  smaller  tribes ;  which,  in  their  turn,  are  pursued  by  larger  foes. 
Some  feed  on  mud  and  aquatic  plants,  but  by  far  the  greater  number  subset  on 
animal  food  only,  and  they  are  so  ravenous  as  often  not  to  spare  even  those  of  their  own 
kind.  Innumerable  shoals  of  some  species  pursue  those  of  others  through  vast 
'tracts  of  the  ocean ;  from  the  vicinity  of  the  pole  sometimes  even  to  the  equator. 
In  these  conflicts,  and  in  this  scene  of  universal  rapine,  many  species  must  have 
become  extinct,  had  not  the  Creator  accurately  proportioned  their  means  of  escape, 
their  production,  and  their  numbers,  to  the  extent  and  variety  of  the  dangers  to 
which  they  are  exposed.  The  smaller  species  are  consequently  not  only  more  nu- 
merous and  prolific  than  the  larger,  but  their  instinct  impels  them  to  seek  for  food 
and  protection  near  the  shore,  where,  from  the  shallowness  of  the  water,  many  of 
their  foes  are  unable  to  pursue  them. 

Fishes  are  in  general  oviparous  :  some  few,  however,  produce  their  offspring  alive. 
The  males  have  the  milt,  and  the  females  the  roe,  but  some  individuals  of  the  Cod 
und  Sturgeon  tribes  are  said  to  contain  both.  The  spawn  of  the  greater  number  ia 
deposited  in  the  sand  or  gravel :  many  of  the  fish,  however,  which  reside  in  the  ocean, 
attach  their  ova  to  sea-weeds.  The  fecundity  of  these  tribes  far  surpasses  that  of 
any  other  race  of  animals.  In  the  spawn  of  a  single  Cod  upwards  of  nine  millions 
of  eggs  have  been  ascertained,  and  nearly  a  million  a»id  a  half  have  been  taken  from 
the  interior  of  a  Flounder. 

The  longevity  of  fish  is  far  superior  to  that  of  other  creatures ;  and  there  is  reason 
to  suppose  that  they  are,  in  a  great  measure,  exempted  from  disease.  Instead  of 
Buffering  from  the  rigidity  of  age,  which  is  the  cause  of  natural  decay  in  land  animalci, 
their  bodies  continue  to  increase  with  fresh  supplies ;  and,  as  the  body  grows,  the 
conduits  of  life  seem  to  furnish  their  stores  in  greater  abundance.  How  long  these 


FUNCTIONS  OF  FISHES.  19 

animals  continue  to  live,  has  not  yet  been  ascertained.  The  age  of  man  seems  not 
equal  to  the  life  of  the  most  minute  species.  In  the  royal  ponds  of  Marli,  in  Franco, 
there  are  some  particular  fish  which,  it  is  said,  have  been  preserved  tame  since  the 
time  of  Francis  the  First,  and  which  have  been  individually  known  to  the  persona 
who  have  succeeded  to  the  charge  of  them  ever  since  that  period. 

Fish,  like  land  animals,  are  either  solitary  or  gregarious.  Some,  as  Trout,  Salmon, 
&c.,  migrate  to  considerable  distances  in  order  to  deposit  their  spawn.  Of  the 
aca-fish,  the  Cod,  the  Herring,  and  many  others,  assemble  in  immense  shoals,  and 
migrate  in  these  shoals  through  vast  tracts  of  the  ocean. 

In  the  Gmelinian  edition  of  the  Sy sterna  Naturae,  the  Fishes  are  divided  into  six 
orders : 

1.  Apodal;  with  bony  gills,  and  no  ventral  fins,  as  the  Eels. 

2.  Jugular;  with  bony  gills,  and  ventral  fins  before  the  pectoral  ones,  as  the  Cod 
and  Haddock. 

3.  Thoracic;  with  bony  gills  and  ventral  fins  placed  directly  under  the  thorax,  as 
the  Turbot,  Sole,  Perch,  and  Mackerel. 

4.  Abdominal;  with  bony  gills,  and  ventral  fins  placed  behind  the  thorax,  as  the 
Salmon,  Pike,  Herring,  and  Carp. 

5.  Branchiostegous :  with  gills  destitute  of  bony  rays,  as  the  Pike-fish  and  Lump- 
lab. 

6.  Cl&todropterygious ;  with  cartilaginous  gills,  as  the  Sturgeon,  Shark,  Skate,  and 
Urnprey. 


20  FUNCTIONS  OF  INSECTS. 


INSECTS. 

The  insect  division  of  the  animal  world  received  its  name  from  the  individuals  of 
which  it  is  composed  having  a  separation  in  the  middle  of  their  bodies,  by  which 
they  are  cut,  as  it  were,  into  two  parts.  These  parts  are  in  general  connected  by  a 
•lender  ligament  or  hollow  thread. 

Insects  breathe  through  pores  arranged  along  their  sides  ;*  and  have  a  scaly  or 
bony  skin,  and  many  feet.  Most  of  them  are  furnished  with  wings.  They  are  desti- 
tute of  brain,  nostrils,  and  eyelids.  Not  only  the  place  of  the  liver,  but  of  all  the 
secretory  glands,  is,  in  them,  supplied  by  long  vessels  that  float  in  the  abdomen. 
The  mouth  is  in  general  situated  under  the  head  ;  and  is  furnished  with  transverse 
jaws,  with  lips,  a  kind  of  teeth,  a  tongue,  and  palate :  it  has  also,  in  most  instances, 
four  or  six  palpi,  or  feelers.  Insects  have  also  movable  antennae,  which  generally 
proceed  from  the  front  part  of  the  head,  and  are  endowed  with  a  very  nice  sense  of 
feeling. 

In  a  minute  examination  of  this  class  by  Professor  Cuvier,  neither  a  heart  nor  ar- 
teries have  been  detected ;  and  this  gentleman  says  that  the  whole  organization  of 
insects  is  such  as  we  might  have  expected  to  find,  if  we  had  previously  known  that 
they  were  destitute  of  such  organs.  Their  nutrition,  therefore,  seems  to  be  carried 
on  by  absorption,  as  is  the  case  with  the  polypes,  and  other  zoophytes,  t 

Nearly  all  Insects  (except  Spiders,  and  a  few  others  of  the  apterous  tribe,  which 
proceed  nearly  in  a  perfect  state  from  the  egg)  undergo  a  METAMORPHOSIS,  or  change 
at  three  different  periods  of  their  existence. 

The  lives  of  these  minute  creatures,  in  their  perfect  state,  are  in  general  so  short 
that  the  parents  have  seldom  an  opportunity  of  seeing  their  living  offspring.  Con- 
sequently, they  are  neither  provided  with  milk,  like  viviparous  animals,  nor  are  they, 
like  birds,  impelled  to  sit  upon  their  eggs  in  order  to  bring  their  offspring  to  perfec- 
tion. In  place  of  these,  the  all-directing  Power  has  endowed  each  species  with  the 
astonishing  faculty  of  being  able  to  discover  what  substance  is  fitted  to  afford  the 
food  proper  for  its  young;  though  such  food  is,  for  the  most  /part,  totally  different 
from  that  which  the  parent  itself  could  eat.  Some  of  them  attach  their  eggs  to  the 
bark,  or  insert  them  into  the  leaves  of  trees  and  other  vegetable  substances  ;  others 
form  nests,  which  they  store  with  insects  <or  caterpillars  that  will  attain  the  exact 
state  in  which  they  may  be  proper  food  for  their  young  ones,  when  they  shall  awaken 
into  life ;  others  bury  their  eggs  in  the  bodies  of  other  insects  ;  and  others  adopt 
very  surprising  methods  of  conveying  them  into  the  body,  and  even  into  the  internal 
'•jycera  of  larger  animals.  Some  drop  their  eggs  into  the  water,  an  element  in  which 
they  would  themselves  soon  be  destroyed.  In  short,  the  variety  of  contrivances  that 
are  adopted  by  insects  to  ensure  the  subsistence  of  their  offspring,  are  beyond  enu- 
meration. 

From  the  eggs  of  all  insects  proceed  what  are  called  larvce,  grubs,  or  caterpillars. 
These  consist  of  a  long  body,  covered  with  a  soft,  tender  skin,  divided  into  segments 
or  rings.  The  motions  of  many  of  the  larvas  are  performed  on  these  rings  on)y, 
either  in  the  manner  of  serpents,  or  by  resting  alternately  each  segment  of  the  body 
on  the  plane  which  supports  it.  Such  is  the  motion  of  the  larvae  of  Flies,  emphati- 
cally so  called,  and  of  Wasps  and  Bees.  Sometimes  the  surfaces  of  the  rings  are 
covered  with  spines,  stiff  bristles,  or  hooks,  this  is  the  case  in  Gad-flies.  Crane-flies, 
and  some  others.  The  bodies  of  the  larvae,  in  some  orders  of  insects,  have,  toward 
the  head,  six  feet,  each  formed  of  three  small  joints;  the  last  of  which  is  scaly,  and 
terminates  in  a  hook  :  this  is  usual  in  those  of  Beetles  and  Dragon-flies.  The  larvaa 
jf  Butterflies  and  Moths,  besides  six  scaly  articulated  feet,  have  a  variable  number 
of  other  false  feet,  which  are  not  jointed,  but  terminate  in  hooks  disposed  in  circles 

*  The  Crab  and  Lobster  tribes  form  an  exception  to  this  rule,  for  they  respire  by  means  of 

*m*. 

f  He  excepte  the  Crabs  and  Lobsters,  which  he  arranges  in  a  class  by  themselves,  and  denomi- 
nates  (Testaceous  animals. 


FUNCTIONS  OF  INSECTS.  21 

and  semi-circles.  These  hooks,  which  are  attached  to  the  skin  by  a  kind  of  retrac- 
tile tubercles,  serve  as  cramps  to  assist  their  motion  on  other  bodies.  The  larvae  of 
such  insects  as  undergo  only  a  semi-metamorphosis,  as  Locusts,  Crickets,  and  Cock 
roaches,  and  those  of  insects  that  undergo  no  transformation,  as  the  Spiders,  Ticks, 
and  Mites,  do  not  differ,  with  respect  to  their  feet,  from  the  perfect  insects.  In 
this  larva  state  many  insects  remain  for  months,  others  for  a  year,  and  some  even  for 
two  or  three  years.  They  are,  in  general,  extremely  voracious,  oftentimes  devour- 
ing more  than  their  own  weight  in  the  course  of  twenty-four  hours. 

As  soon  as  all  their  parts  become  'perfected,  and  they  are  prepared  to  appeal 
under  a  new  fomi,  called  "a  pupa  or  chrysalis*  most  species  of  insects  fix^upon  some 
convenient  place,  for  the  performance  of  this  arduous  operation.  This  is  generally  a. 
place  where  they  are  not  exposed  to  danger ;  for  in  their  transformation,  they  have 
neither  strength  to  resist,  nor  swiftness  to  avoid,  the  attack  of  an  enemy.  That 
Power  which  instructed  the  parents  to  deposit  their  eggs  in  a  proper  receptacle, 
directs  the  offspring  to  the  most  secure  and  appropriate  situation  for  their  future 
defenceless  state.  Some  of  them  spin  webs  or  cones,  in  which  they  enclose  them- 
fwlves ;  others  undergo  their  change  in  decayed  wood ;  and  others  conceal  themselves 
beneath  the  surface  of  the  earth.  Preparatory  to  the  transformation,  they  cease  to 
take  any  food,  and,  for  some  days,  continue  in  a  state  of  inactivity.  During  this 
time  the  internal  organs  are  gradually  unfolding  themselves.  When  the  completion 
is  at  hand,  many  of  them  may  be  observed  alternately  to  extend  and  contract 
their  bodies,  in  order  to  disengage  themselves  from  the  caterpillar  skin.  The  hinder 
parts  are  thoFf  first  liberated  :  when  this  is  done,  the  animals  contract,  and  draw 
the  skin  up  t /wards  their  head  ;  and,  by  strong  efforts,  they  soon  afterward  push 
it  entirely  off.  In  their  chrysalid  state  they  remain  for  some  time,  to  all  appearance, 
inanimate  ;  but  this  is  only  in  appearance,  for,  on  being  taken  into  the  hand,  they  will 
always  be  found  to  exhibit  signs  of  life.  It  is  singular  that,  in  the  changes  of  insecta, 
the  intestinal  canal  is  frequently  very  different  in  the  same  individuals,  as  they  pass 
through  the  three  states. 

As  soon  as  the  animal,  within  the  shell  of  the  chrysalis,  has  acquired  strength 
sufficient  to  break  the  bonds  that  surround  it,  it  exerts  its  powers,  and  appears  to 
the  world  in  a  perfect  state.  For  a  little  while  it  continues  humid  and  weak  ;  but, 
as  the  humidity  evaporates,  its  wings  and  shell  become  hardened,  and  it  soon  after- 
ward commits  itself  in  safety  to  its  new  element. 

Some  writers  have  conjectured  that  the  antennae  or  horns  of  insects  are  their 
organs  of  hearing;  for  it  is  evident,  from  various  experiments,  that  insects  are 
possessed  of  this  sense  in  a  degree  as  exquisite  as  most  other  animals,  although, 
from  their  minuteness,  we  perhaps  may  never  discover  by  what  means.  The  antenna4, 
however,  seem  little  likely  to  answer  the  purpose  of  ears.  These  instruments,  of 
apparently  exquisite  sensibility,  appear  adapted  to  very  different  purposes,  but  to 
purposes  with  which  we  may  remain  long  unacquainted. 

The  eyes  of  insects  are  formed  of  a  transparent  crustaceous  set  of  lenses,  so  hard 
as  to  require  no  coverings  to  protect  them.  These,  like  multiplying  glasses,  have 
innumerable  surfaces,  on  every  one  of  which  objects  are  distinctly  formed;  so 
that,  if  a  candle  be  held  opposite  to  them,  it  appears  multiplied  almost  to  infinity  on 
their  surfaces.  Other  creatures  are  obliged  to  turn  their  eyes ;  but  insects  have 
always  some  or  other  of  these  lenses  directed  toward  objects,  from  what  quarter 
soever  they  may  present  themselves.  All  these  minute  hemispheres  are  real  eyes, 
through  which  every  thing  appears  topsy  turvy. 

M.  Leeuwenhoek,  with  the  aid  of  a  microscope,  used  as  a  telescope,  looked 
through  the  eye  of  a  Dragon-fly,  and  viewed  the  steeple  of  a  church,  which  was  two 
hundred  and  ninety-nine  feet  high,  and  seven  hundred  and  fifty  feet  from  the  place 
where  he  stood.  He  could  plainly  see  the  steeple,  though  not  apparently  larger 
than  the  point  of  a  fine  needle.  He  also  viewed  a  house  ;  and  could  discern  the  front, 
distinguish  the  doors  and  windows,  and  perceive  whether  the  windows  were  open  or 
shut.  Mr.  Hook  computed  that  there  were  fourteen  thousand  of  these  lenses  in  the 
two  eyes  of  a  Drone ;  and  M.  Leeuwenhoek  reckons  twelve  thousand  five  hundred 
and  forty-four  lenses  in  each  eye  of  the  Dragon-fly.  The  pictures  of  objects  that 
are  delineated  on  these,  must  be  millions  of  times  less  than  those  formed  on  the 

*  The  chrysalis  is  occasionally  called  Aurelia,  Bean,  or  Cod. 


22  FUNCTIONS   OF   INSECTS. 

human  eye.  Many  insects  still  smaller  have  eyes,  so  contrived  as  to  discern  objects 
Bomp  thousands  of  times  less  than  themselves ;  for  such  the  minute  particles  on 
which  theff  feed  must  certainly  be. 

With  respect  to  the  wings  of  insects,  those  of  the  two  first  orders  of  Linnaeus 
have  their  wings  defended  by  a  pair  of  hard  crustaceous  cases  called  elytra.  The 
three  subsequent  orders  have  four  membranaceous  wings,  without  elytra.  All  the 
insects  of  the  sixth  order  have  but  two  wings,  and  under  each  of  these,  at  its  base, 
there  is  a  poise  or  balancer  like  a  little  knob.  TJiese  poises  are  commonly  little 
balls,  each  placed  on  the  top  of  a  slender  stalk,  and  movable  every  way  at  pleasure. 
In  some  they  stand  alone,  but  in  others,  as  in  the  Flesh-fly  tribe,  they  have  littla 
Covers  or  hollow  membranaceous  scales,  each  of  which  somewhat  resembles  a  spoon 
without  a  handle :  every  time  the  insect  strikes  the  air  with  its  wings,  a  very  quick 
motion  may  be  perceived  in  the  balancer;  and  in  the  Flesh-flies,  when  this  moves, 
it  strikes  against  the  little  scale,  and  thus  assists  in  producing  the  well-known  buzz- 
ing  sound  that  is  made  by  flies  when  on  the  wing.  The  use  of  the  poises  to  an 
insect  seems  to  be  precisely  the  same  as  that  of  a  long  pole,  loaded  at  each  end  with 
lead,  to  a  rope-dancer :  they  render  the  body  steady,  and  obviate  all  its  unsteadiness 
in  flight. 

The  structure  of  the  feet  of  these  diminutive  creatures  is  truly  admirable.  Those 
insects  that  live  altogether  in  water  have  their  feet  long,  flat,  and  somewhat  hairy 
at  the  edges,  well  adapted  to  aid  their  motions  in  that  element.  Such  as  havo 
occasion  to  burrow  into  the  earth  have  their  legs  broad,  sharp-edged,  and  serrated. 
These  that  use  their  feet  only  in  walking,  have  them  long  and  cylindrical.  Some 
have  their  feet  furnished  with  sharp,  hooked  claws,  and  skinny  palms,  by  which, 
from  the  pressure  of  the  atmosphere  upon  them,  they  are  enabled  to  walk  on  glass 
and  other  smooth  surfaces,  even  with  their  backs  downward.  Others  have  some- 
what like  sponges  that  answer  the  same  end;  and  the  spider  has  each  foot  armed 
with  a  kind  of  comb,  probably  for  the  purpose  of  separating  the  six  threads  that 
issue  from  so  many  orifices  of  its  body,  and  preventing  them  from  tangling.  In 
insects  which  have  occasionally  to  pass  over  spaces  by  leaping,  the  thighs  of  the 
Hind  legs  are  peculiarly  large  and  thick. 

The  tongue  of  insects  is  a  taper  and  compact  instrument,  by  which  they  suck 
their  food.  Some  of  them  can  contract  or  expand  it ;  and  others,  as  the  Butter- 
flies, roll  it  up  under  their  head,  somewhat  like  the  spring  of  a  watch.  In  macy 
it  is  enclosed  within  a  sheath;  and  in  several,  as  the  Flies,  it  is  fleshy  and  tubular, 

The  mouth  is  generally  placed  somewhat  underneath  the  front  part  of  the  head  ; 
out  in  a  few  of  the  tribes  it  is  situated  below  the  breast.  Some  insects  have  it 
furnished  with  a  kind  o'f  forceps,  for  the  purpose  Of  seizing  and  cutting  their  prey  ; 
ami  in  others  it  is  pointed,  to  pierce  animal  or  vegetable  substances,  and  suck  their 
juices.  In  several  it  is  strongly  ridged  with  jaws  and  teeth,  to  gnaw  and  scrape 
thoir  food,  carry  burdens,  perforate  the  earth,  nay  the  hardest  wood,  and  even  stones, 
for  the  habitations  and  nests  of  their  offspring.  In  a  few  the  'tongue  is  so  short  as 
f  o  appear  to  us  incapable  of  answering  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  formed ;  and  the 
Uaifflies  appear  to  have  no  mouth. 

Near  the  mouth  are  situated  the  palpi  or  feelers:  these  are  generally  four,  but 
sometimes  six  in  number.  They  are  a  kind  of  thread-shaped  articulated  antennae. 
Their  situation,  beneath  and  at  the  sides  of  the  mouth,  renders  them,  however,  suf- 
*K'iently  distinct  from  the  proper  antennae.  Some  writers  consider  them  to  be 
useful  ic  holding  food  to  the  mouth,  whilst  the  insects  are  eating. 

Linnaeus  has  divided  the  animals  of  this  class  into  seven  orders,*  viz  : 

1.  Coleopterous  insects  (derived  from  the  Greek  words  xotooj  a  sheath,  and  rttspav 
a  wing.)     These  are  the  Beetles,  or  such  as  have  crustaceous  elytra  or  shells,  which 
shut  together,  and  form  a  longitudinal  suture  down  the  back.     Of  this  order  are 
the  Chafer  tribes,  and  several  others. 

2.  Hemipterous  insects  (from  faovs  half,  and  rtttpov  a  wing,)  have  their  upper 
wings  half  crustaceous,  and  half  membranaceous,  not  divided  by  a  longitudinal  suture, 
but  incumbent  on  or  crossed  over  each  other;  as  the  Cockroach,  Locust,  <fec. 

3.  Lepilopterous  insects  (from  rt«x*j  a  scale,  and  jtttpov  a  wing,)  are  those  having 

*  Coleoptera,  llemiptera,  Lepidoptera,  Neufoptera,  H^menoptera,  Diptera,  and  Aptera. 


ON   THE   STRUCTURE   AND   FUNCTIONS   OF   WORMS.  23 

four  wings  covered  with  fine  scales  apparently  like  powder  or  meal ;  as  the  Butterflies 
and  Moths. 

4.  Neuropterous    insects   (from   nvpa*   a   nerve,   and   rttfpov   a   wing,)    have   foul 
membranaceous,  transparent,  naked  wings,  in  which  i.he  membranes  cross  each  other 
BO  as  to  appear  like  net-work.     The  tail  has  no  sting,  but  is  sometimes   furnished 
with  appendices  like  pincers,  by  which  the  males  are  distinguished.     The  common 
Dragon-fly  is  the  best  example  that  can  be  brought  to  illustrate  this  order ;  and  the 
genus  Phrygenea  forms  an  exception  with  respect  to  the  net-work  appearance  of  lha 
wings. 

5.  Hymenoplerous  insects  (from  v^v  a  membrane,  and  rtrfpov  a  wing.)    The  insects 
belonging  to   this  order   have    generally   four  membranaceous   naked   wings :   the 
neuters,  however,  in  some  of  the  genera,  and  in  others  the  males  or  females,  are  des- 
titute of  wings.     The  wings  do  not  so  much  resemble  net-work  as  those  of  the  last 
order.     The  tail,  except  in  the  male,  is  armed  with  a  sting.     The  Bee,  the   Wasp, 
and  the  Ant  are  of  this  tribe. 

6.  Dipterous  insects  (from  5trf?ioo$  double,  and  Ttrtpoi/  a  wing,)  are  those  which  have 
only  two  wings,  each  furnished  at  its  base  with  a  poise  or  balancer.     The  common 
House-flies  and  the  Gnat  are  familiar  examples  of  this  order. 

1.  Apterous  insects  (from  a  without,  and  jittpov  a  wing.)  This  order  contains  all 
Bucb  insects  as  are  destitute  of  wings  in  both  sexes  ;  as  the  Spider,  the  Flea,  and  the 
Louse. 


HISTORY  OF  BIRDS,  FISHES  AND  INSECTS. 


(25) 


BIRDS. 


RAPACIOUS   BIRDS. 

IN  the  Birds  which  constitute  the  present  order,  the  bill  is  some 
what  hooked,  having  the  upper  mandible  or  division  either  dilated  a 
little  towards  the  point,  or  furnished  with  a  tooth-like  process.  The 
nostrils  are  open.  The  feet  are  stout,  and  armed  with  strong  hookfXJ 
claws  three  placed  forward,  and  one  backward. 


OF  THE  YULTUKES  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  Vultures  have  their  bill  straight,  and  hooked  only  at  the  end 
its  edges  are  sharp,  like  a  knife, 
and  the  base  is  covered  with  a 
thin  skin.  The  head,  cheeks, 
and,  in  many  species,  the  neck, 
are  either  naked,  or  clad  only 
with  down  or  short  hairs.  The 
tongue  is  large,  fleshy,  and  cleft 
at  the  end.  The  craw  often 
hangs  over  the  breast.  The 
legs  and  feet  are  covered  with 
great  scales ;  and  the  first  joint 
of  the  middle  toe  is  connected 
to  that  of  the  outermost  by  a  strong  membrane.  The  claws  are  large, 
somewhat  hooked,  and  very  blunt ;  and  the  inside  of  the  wings  ia 
covered  with  down. 

The  characters  which  principally  distinguish  the  Birds  of  this  tribe 
from  the  Eagles  and  Falcons,  are  the  want  of  feathers  on  part  of  the 
head,  and  sometimes  even  on  the  whole  head  and  neck ;  and  their 
voracious  manners,  as  they  never  kill  prey  from  choice,  but  in  general 
devour  only  such  animals  as  are  either  dying,  or  are  found  dead  and 
putrid.  Their  sense  of  smelling  is  so  exquisite,  that  they  are  able  to 
scent  a  dead  body  at  the  distance  of  many  miles.  "  They  are  (says 
Mr.  Pennant)  greedy  and  voracious  to  a  proverb;  and  not  timid,  for 
they  prey  in  the  midst  of  cities,  undaunted  by  mankind."  After  some 
of  the  battles  in  the  East,  where  vast  slaughter  takes  place,  of 
Elephants,  Horses,  and  men,  voracious  animals  crowd  to  the  field  from 
all  quarters,  and  of  these,  Jackals,  Hyaenas,  and  Vultures,  are  the 
chief.  Even  in  the  places  where  the  last  are  otherwise  seldom 
observed,  the  plain  will  on  such  occasions  be  found  covered  with  them. 
Vast  multitudes  will  be  s^en  in  the  air,  descending  from  every  side, 

27 


28 


THE   CONDOR. 


to  partake  of  the  carnage.  These  the  Indians  believe  to  be  brought 
by  having  an  instinctive  presentiment  of  slaughter,  some  days  before 
the  event. 

It  is  observed  that  Vultures,  in  general,  become  less  numerous  as  the 
climate  becomes  colder ;  and  that,  in  the  more  northern  countries,  they 
are  never  found.  Their  presence  is  a  kind  disposition  of  Providence 
in  the  hotter  regions,  to  prevent  the  putrid  effluvia  of  the  dead  from 
fcoo  much  injuring  the  health  of  the  living. 


THE    CONDOR. 

This  bird  considerably  exceeds  in  size  the  largest  eagle.  Its  ex- 
panded wings  some- 
times extend  to  the 
dimensions  of  eighteen 
feet.  Its  body,  bill, 
and  talons,  are  pro- 
portionably  large  and 
strong;  and  its 
courage  is  equal  to  its 
strength.  The  throat 
is  naked,  and  of  a  red 
color.  The  upper 
parts,  in  some  indi 
viduals,  (for  they  differ 
greatly  in  color,)  are 
variegated  with  black, 
grey,  and  white;  and 
the  belly  is  scarlet 
The  head  of  a  Condor 
that  was  shot  at  Port 
Desire,  off  Penguin 
Island,  resembled  that 
of  an  eagle;  except 


that    it   had    a   large 
comb  upon  it.   Bound 
CONDOR  the  neck  it  had  a  white 

ruff,  much  resembling 

ft  lady's  tippet.  The  feathers  on  the  back  were  as  black  as  jet,  and 
perfectly  bright.  The  legs  were  remarkably  strong  and  large ;  the 
talons  liko  those  of  an  eagle,  except  that  they  were  not  so  sharp :  and 
the  wings,  when  extended,  measured,  from  point  to  point,  twelve  feet 
In  the  Leverian  Museum  there  were  two  specimens  of  the  Condor, 
•opposed  to  be  male  and  female ;  on  the  breast  they  had  a  kind  of 
pendulous,  pear-shaped  substance.  The  male  measured  ten  feet  from 
tip  to  tip  of  the  wings.  The  Condor  is  an  inhabitant  of  South  Amer- 
ica. 

Of  the  strength  of  this  enormous  bird  we  may  form  some  idea, 
from  the  account  that  has  been  given  of  one  of  them  which  was  shot 


THE   CONDOR, 


29 


COXDOB    AND   FISH. 


by  Father  Feuillee,  in  the  valley  of  Ylo  in  Peru.  He  informs  us,  that 
he  discovered  a 
Condor  perched 
upon  a  great 
rock ;  and  that 
he  approached  it 
within  musket- 
shot  and  fired ; 
but  that,  as  the 

fun  was  only 
o  a  d  e  d  with 
swan-shot,  the 
lead  could  not  do 
much  more  than 
pierce  its  feathers. 
lie  perceived, 
however,  from  its 
motions,  that  it 

was  wounded :  for  it  rose  heavily,  and  could  with  difficulty  reach 
another  great  rock,  five  hundred  paces  distant.  He  therefore  charged 
his  piece  with  a  bullet,  and  hit  the  bird  under  the  throat.  lie  then 
saw  that  he  had  succeeded,  ran  to  secure  his  victim  :  but  it  struggled 
obstinately  with  death ;  and,  resting  upon  its  back,  repelled  his  at- 
tempts with  its  extended  talons.  He  continues,  "  I  was  at  a  loss  on 
what  side  to  lay  hold  of  it ;  and  I  believe  that  if  it  had  not  been 
mortally  wounded,  I  should  have  found  great  difficulty  in  securing 
it.  At  last  I  dragged  it  down  from  the  top  of  the  rock  ;  and,  with 
the  assistance  of  a  sailor,  carried  it  away  to  my  tent." 

Some  writers  have  affirmed  that  the  Condor  is  twice  as  large  as  an 
Eagle,  and  so  strong  that  it  can  pounce  upon  and  devour  a  whole  Sheep ; 
that  it  spares  not  even  Stags,  and  can  easily  overthrow  a  man.  Others 
say,  that  its  beak  is  so  firm  that  it  can  pierce  a  Cow's  hide,  and 
that  two  Condors  are  able  to  kill  an  Ox  arid  devour  the  carcass. 

Ulloa  states,  that  lie  once  saw,  in  South  America,  a  Condor  seize 
and  fly  away  with  a  Lamb.  "  Observing  (says  he)  on  a  hill  adjoining 
to  that  where  I  stood,  a  flock  of  Sheep  in  great  confusion,  1  saw  one 
of  these  birds  flying  upwards  from  among  them,  with  a  Lamb  between 
its  claws  ;  and  when  at  some  height,  it  dropped  it.  The  bird  imme- 
diately followed,  took  it  up,  and  let  it  fall  a  second  time  ;  when  it  flew 
out  of  sight,  on  account  of  the  Indians,  who,  alarmed  by  the  cries  of 
the  boys  and  the  barking  of  the  Dogs,  were  running  towards  the  place. 

Frezier,  in  a  voyage  to  the  South  Seas,  also  thus  describes  the  Con- 
dor:— "We  one  day  killed  a  bird  of  prey  called  the  Condor;  which 
measured  nine  feet  from  the  end  of  one  wing  to  the  end  of  the  other, 
?uid  had  a  brown  comb  or  crest,  but  not  jagged  like  that  of  a  Cock. 
The  fore  part  of  the  throat  was  red,  without  feathers,  like  that  of  a 
Turkey.  These  birds  are  generally  large  and  strong  enough  to  take 
up  a  Lamb.  In  order  to  separate  one  of  those  animals  from  the  flock, 
chey  form  themselves  into  a  circle,  and  advance  towards  them  with  their 
wings  extended,  that,  by  being  driven  too  close  together,  the  full-horned 


30 


THE   CONDOR. 


Kams  may  not  be  able  to  defend  their  young-ones.  They  then  pick 
out  the  Lambs,  and  carry  them  off.  Garcillasso  says,  there  are  some 
Condors  in  Peru  which  measure  sixteen  feet  from  the  point  of  one 
wing  to  that  of  the  other,  and  that  a  certain  nation  of  Indians  adore 
them." 

These  enormous  animals  make  their  nests  among  the  highest  and 
most  inaccessible  rocks.  The  female  lays  two  white  eggs,  somewhat 
larger  than  those  of  a  Turkey, 

In  the  country  which 
they  inhabit,  they  seem 
to  supply  the  place  of 
"'  Wolves;  and  they  are  as 
much  feared  by  the  in- 
habitants, as  Wolves  are 
in  other  climates.  Incon- 
sequence of  this,  many 
:  modes  of  destroying  them 
are  adopted.  Sometimes 
a  person,  covering  himself 
with  the  hide  of  a  newly 
skinned  animal,  goes  out^ 
and  so  manages  it,  tha| 
the  bird  is  induced  to 
attack  him  in  this  dis- 
-  guise ;  other  persons  that 
have  hidden  themselves, 
then  come  forward  to  hia 
assistance ;  and  then  all  oi 
them,  at  once  falling  on 
the  bird,  overpower  and 
kill  it.  A  dead  carcass 
is  also  sometimes  put  within  a  very  high  enclosure;  and  when  the 
Condor  has  satiated  himself,  and  is  unable  to  rise  freely,  persons  are 
in  readiness  to  subdue  him.  On  these  latter  occasions  the  bird  is 
inactive;  but  in  general  he  possesses  a  very  quick  flight,  and  fre- 
quently soars  to  a  height  beyond  the  reach  of  human  vision.  Some- 
times these  birds  are  caught  by  means  of  traps  and  springes. 

It  has  generally  been  imagined,  that  the  accounts  of  this  dreadful 
animal  gave  rise  to  the  exaggerated  description  of  the  bird  that  makes 
so  conspicuous  a  figure  in  the  Arabian  Tales,  under  the  name  of  Roc. 
but  .this  seems  very  improbable,  as  we  have  no  satisfactory  evidence 
of  the  Condor  having  ever  been  found  on  the  Old  Continent.  1  he 
traditions  respecting  the  Hoc  originated  in  a  very  different  kind  of 
bird;  a  variety  of  the  bearded  Eagle,  or  the  well-known  Lammer- 
geyer  of  the  Alps,  which  is  occasionally  seen  among  the  mountains. 
The  preparations  made  by  these  birds  for  their  young  are  extremely 
slight;  indeed,  in  most  instances  the  two  eggs  laid  by  the  female  are 
deposited  upon  the  bare  rock.  When  first  hatched,  the  young  are  cov- 
ered with  a  coat  of  grey  down  ;  they  grow  but  slowly,  and  remain  under 
the  protection  of  their  parents  long  after  they  are  fully  fledged. 


THE    CAEKIO^T   VULTURE. 


31 


THE   CARRION    VULTURE. 

The  length  of  this  bird  is  about  four  feet  and  a  half,  and  its  general 
weight  between  four  and  five  pounds.  The  head  is  small,  and  covered 
with  a  red  skin,  beset  only  with  a  few  black  bristles,  which  give  -it  a 
distant  resemblance  to  a  turkey.  The  whole  plumage  is  dusky,  mixed 
with  purple  and  green.  The  legs  are  of  a  dirty  flesh  color,  and  the 
claws  black. 

In  some  of  the  countries  bordering  upon  the  torrid  zone,  these  birds 
haunt  the  villages  and  towns  in  immense  multitudes.  In  Carthagena, 
they  may  be  seen  sitting  on  the  roofs  of  houses,  or  even  stalking  along 
the  streets.  They  are  here  of  infinite  service  to  the  inhabitants,  bv  de- 


THE CARRIOJT  VULTURE. 


vouring  that  filth  which  otherwise,  by  its  intolerable  stench,  would  ren- 
der the  climate  still  more  unwholesome  than  it  is.  When  they  find  no 
food  in  the  cities,  they  seek  for  it  among  the  cattle  of  the  adjoining  pas- 
tures. If  any  animal  be  unfortunate  enough  to  have  a  sore  on  his 
back,  they  instantly  alight  on  it,  and  attack  the  part  affected.  The 
unfortunate  beast  may  in  vaiu  attempt  to  free  itself  from  the  gripe  of 


THE   EGYPTIAN    VULTURE. 

their  talons:  even  rolling  on  the  ground  is  of  no  effect,  for  tlie  Yul 
lures  never  quit  their  hold  till  they  have  completed  its  destruction. 

In  few  creatures  are  the  designs  of  Providence  more  clearly  de- 
veloped than  in  these.  Filthy  as  they  are  in  their  manners,  their 
appearance,  and  their  smell,  yet  is  even  this  filthiness  a  blessing  to 
mankind.  In  hot  climates,  putridity  takes  place  in  a  few  hours  after 
death,  what  might  be  the  effects  of  the  aggregated  stench,  if  it  were 
not  for  the  exertions  of  animals  of  this  description  1  But  in  some 
countries  they  are  rendered  even  of  still  further  importance  to  man- 
kind,  by  destroying  the  eggs  of  the  Alligator,  an  animal  which 
otherwise  must  become  intolerable  by  its  prodigious  increase.  They 
watch  the  female  Crocodile  in  the  act  of  depositing  her  eggs  in  the 
sand ;  and  no  sooner  does  she  retire  into  the  water,  than  they  dart  to 
the  spot  and  feast  upon  the  contents  of  the  eggs. 

The  resemblance  of  these  birds  at  a  distance,  to  the  Turkey,  was 
the  cause  of  considerable  vexation  to  one  of  the  officers  engaged  in 
the  expedition  round  the  world  under  AVoodes  Kogers.  In  the  island 
of  Lobos,  immense  numbers  of  them  were  seen;  and,  highly  delighted 
with  the  prospect  of  such  delicious  fare  after  a  long  and  tedious  voy- 
age, the  officer  would  not  wait  even  till  the  boat  could  put  him  ashore, 
but,  with  his  gun  in  his  hand,  leapt  overboard  and  swam  to  land 
Approaching  a  large  collection  of  the  birds,  he  fired  among  them  and 
killed  several:  but  when  he  came  to  seize  his  game,  he  was  sadly 
disappointed  in  rinding  that  they  were  not  Turkeys,  and  that  their 
stench  was  almost  insupportable. 

The  bodies  of  the  Carrion  Vultures  are  extremely  offensive  to  tho 
smell;  and  they  perch  at  night  on  rocks  or  trees,  with  their  wings 
partly  extended,  apparently  to  purify  themselves.  They  soar  to  a 
vast  height,  and  have  in  the  air  the  sailing  motions  of  the  Kite.  Car- 
rion and  filth  of  almost  every  description  are  their  favorite  food;  and, 
from  the  acuteness  of  their  scent,  they  can  distinguish  prey  at  an 
immense  distance,  They  will  eat  even  Snakes,  and  sometimes  seize 
on  live  Lambs.  When  a  dead  body  of  considerable  size  is  thrown 
out,  they  may  be  observed  coming  from  all  quarters,  each  wheeling 
about  in  gradual  descent  till  he  reaches  the  ground.  They  are  not 
easily  driven  from  their  prey;  but,  when  in  the  act  of  devouring  it, 
will  suffer  persons  to  approach  very  near  them. 


THE   AQUILINE,    OR   EGYPTIAN   VULTURE. 

The  male  is  entirely  white,  except  the  quill-feathers,  which  are 
black,  edged  with  hoary.  The  female  is  brown,  with  the  same  ex 
ception  of  the  quill-feathers.  The  two  outermost  primaries  of  each 
wing  in  the  male,  and  the  four  outermost  in  the  female,  are  entirely 
black.  The  head  and  neck  are  naked  and  wrinkled.  The  eyes  are 
large  and  black ;  the  beak  is  black  and  hooked,  having  its  base  cov 
tsred  with  a  yellow  cere;  and  the  talons  are  large  and  extended. 

These  disgusting  animals  frequent  the  sterile  and  sandy  country 


THE   CAPE  VULTURE.  33 

around  the  Pyramids.  Extensive  flocks  of  them  are  also  found  in 
Cairo,  where  they  feed  on  offal  and  dead  animals  in  the  streets  pro- 
miscuously with  the  Dogs.  Every  morning  and  evening  they  assemble 
with  the  Kites,  in  the  square  below  the  castle,  in  order  to  receive  the 
alms  of  fresh  meat  that  have  been  left  to  them  by  the  legacies  of 
various  wealthy  men.  By  the  ancient  Egyptians  these  birds  were 
esteemed  sacred ;  and  Herodotus  informs  us,  that  it  was  considered  a 
capital  crime  to  put  one  of  them  to  death. 

Their  appearance  is  as  horrid  as  can  be  imagined  in  any  animal; 
and  their  whole  body,  from  their  habits  of  life,  is  covered  with  filth. 
Notwithstanding  this,  the  inhabitants  of  the  countries  where  they 
abound  cannot  be  too  thankful  to  Providence  for  supplying  them  with 
these  active  scavengers,  to  cleanse  their  towns  and  villages  of  the 
filth  and  putridity  which  otherwise,  under  a  burning  sun,  and  on 
lands  often  inundated  by  the  river  which  fertilizes  them,  would  fill 
the  atmosphere  with  the  most  noxious  exhalations. 

In  Palestine  they  are  of  infinite  service,  in  destroying  the  vast 
multitudes  of  Eats  and  Mice  which  breed  in  the  fields ;  and  which 
without  their  assistance,  would  devour  the  whole  fruits  of  the  ground. 
They  also  frequent  the  deserts,  and  there  devour  the  bodies  of  men 
and  animals  which  perish  in  those  desolated  regions.  They  every 
year  follow  the  caravan  from  Egypt  to  Mecca,  in  order  to  feast  upon 
the  flesh  of  slaughtered  beasts,  and  the  carcasses  of  the  camels  which 
die  on  the  journey. 

So  little  are  these  birds  alarmed  by  the  presence  of  mankind,  that 
they  will  not  even  quit  the  places  which  they  haunt,  even  when  fired 
at  with  guns ;  but  after  a  short  flight  they  immediately  return.  If  one 
jf  thsm  be  killed,  the  rest  surround  and  devour  it.  The  Vulturine 
Caracaro  Eagle  is  probably  a  Vulture.  It  is  found  in  Brazil,  and 
feeds  on  carrion. 


THE  CAPE   VULTURE. 

The  sloth,  the  filth,  and  the  voracity  of  these  birds,  almost  exceed 
credibility.  Whenever  they  alight  on  a  carcass  that  they  can  havo 
liberty  to  tear  at  their  ease,  they  gorge  themselves  in  such  a  manner 
that  they  become  unable  to  fly,  and  even  if  pursued  can  only  hop 
along.  At  all  times  they  are  birds  of  slow  flight,  and  are  unable 
eadily  to  raise  themselves  from  the  ground  ;  and  when  overfed,  they 
are  utterly  helpless.  On  the  pressure  of  danger,  however,  they  have 
the  power  of  ridding  themselves  of  their  burden,  by  vomiting  up  what 
they  have  eaten  ;  and  then  they  fly  off  with  great  facility. 

They  frequent  all  the  country  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope ;  and  are 
BO  familiar,  that  they  often  descend,  in  great  numbers,  near  the  entrance 
to  the  shambles  of  the  Cape  Town,  and  there  devour  the  heads,  entraila, 
and  other  offals,  of  the  animals  slaughtered  for  the  market.  On  the 
sea-shores  they  are  also  very  abundant,  voraciously  devouring  all  such 
aiiimal  substances  as  have  been  thrown  upon  the  coast  by  the  tidea 


34  THE   KING  YULTURE — GRIFFON   YULTURE. 

In  anatomfzing  a  dead  animal,  Kolben  informs  us  that  these  birds 
exhibit  infinite  dexterity.  They  separate  the  flesh  from  the  bones  in 
such*  a  manner  as  to  leave  the  skin  almost  entire.  On  approaching  a 
body  thus  destroyed,  no  person,  till  he  had  examined  it,  could  possibly 
imagine  that  it  was  merely  bone  and  skin,  deprived  entirely  of  the  in- 
ternal substance.  They  begin  by  tearing  an  opening  in  the  belly, 
through  which  they  pluck  out  and  greedily  devour  the  entrails:  then 
enteiing  the  hollow,  they  also  tear  away  all  the  flesh ;  and  this  without 


KING    OF    VULTURES. 


affecting  the  external  appearance.  "  It  often  happens  (says  this  writer) 
that  an  ox  returning  home  alone  to  his  stall  from  the  plough,  lies  down 
by  the  way  ;  it  is  then,  if  the  Vultures  perceive  it,  that  they  fall  upon  it 
with  fury,  and  inevitably  devour  the  unfortunate  animal.  They 
sometimes  attempt  the  oxen  while  grazing  in  the  fields ;  and,  to  the 
number  of  a  hundred  or  more,  make  their  sudden  attack  all  together." 
Kavenous  as  these  animals  are,  they  are  capable  of  existing  for  a 
great  length  of  time  without  food.  In  the  deserts  their  subsistence  is 
sometimes  very  precarious.  M.  Le  Vaillant  states  that  in  the  crop  of 
*ome  that  he  had  killed,  he  had  found  nothing  but  pieces  of  bark,  or 
a  small  quantity  of  clay ;  in  the  crop  of  others  he  had  found  only  bones ; 
and  again,  of  others,  the  dung  of  animals.  When  urged  by  hunger, 
they  are  frequently  known  to  devour  their  own  species. 


A  KING  VULTUBE  SEIZING  A  RATTLESNAKE, 


35 


36 


THE  TURKEY"  VULTURE. 


THE   KING    VULTURE. 

The  King  Vulture  is  also  a  native  of  South  America,  seldom  if  ever 
being  seen  north  of  Florida.  Travellers  relate  that  this  species  keeps 
the  other  Vultures  under  subjection,  and  does  not  suffer  them  to  ap- 
proach a  dead  animal  until  he  has  completely  satisfied  his  own  appetite, 
which  is  certainly  none  of  the  smallest. 

Vultures  are  generally  protected  by  the  natives  of  the  countries ' 
where  they  reside  on  account  of  their  great  utility  in  clearing  away 
the  putrid  animal  matter,  which  would  otherwise  be  exceedingly  in- 
jurious as  well  as  disagreeable.  The  Turkey  Buzzard  or  John  Crow 
(Cathartes  Aura\  or  Jamaican  Vulture,  is  protected  by  a  fine  of  five 
pounds,  inflicted  on  any  one  who  destroys  the  bird  within  a  certain 
distance  of  the  principal  towns.  Waterton's  account  of  this  bird  is 
very  interesting,  and  well  worthy  of  notice.  There  are  many  different 
species  of  Vultures  inhabiting  different  countries,  but  their  habits 
as  well  as  their  forms  are  so  similar  that  a  detailed  description  of  each 
is  needless. 

Waterton  mentions  that  he  once  observed  a  pair  of  these  birds  sitting 
on  a  branch  of  a  tree  with  a  dozen  of  the  common  species  waiting  to 
feast  on  a  goat  a  jaguar  had  killed ;  though  they  tolerated  the  others' 
company  they  guarded  their  royal  privileges  with  jealous  care. 


THE  TUBKET   VITLTURE. 

The  Turkey  Vulture  is  about  two  and  a  half  feet  in  length,  and  six 
in  breadth.  Eyes 
dark  or  reddish- 
hazel.  The  head 
and  neck  for  about 
an  inch  and  a  half 
below  the  ears, 
furnished  with  a 
reddish  wrinkled 
skin,  and  tints  of 
blue  sprinkled 
with  short  black 
hairs.  From  the 
hind-head  to  the 
neck-feathers  the 
space  is  covered 
with  a  black  down. 
The  forepart  of  the 
neck  is  bare  to  the 
breast-bone.  The  plumage  of  the  neck  is  large  and  tumid,  and,  with 
that  of  the  back  and  shoulders,  nearly  black ;  almost  all  the  rest  of  the 
body  is  of  the  same  color,  in  parts  inclining  to  brown.  Third  primary 
feather  longest.  The  wings  extend  to  the  end  of  the  tail.  The  upper 
plumage  is  generally  glossed  with  green  and  bronze,  having  purplish 


TURKEY   VULTURE  OR  BUZZARD. 


THE    URUBU. 


37 


reflections.  Legs  feathered  to  the  knees;  the  feet  somewhat  webbed. 
The  bill  nearly  white,  often  tipped  with  bright  olive  green.  Weight 
from  four  and  a  half  to  five  pounds. 


THE  UKUB.U. 


The  Urubu  is  a  species  of  American  Vulture,  one  of  many  varieties 
inhabiting  the  western  continent.  It  is  distinguished  by  its  short,  thick 
beak,  graduated  tail  and  low  tarsi.  The  bare  parts  of  the  neck  are  of 
a  flesh  color,  the  top  of  the  head  is  violet,  the  entire  body,  wings  and 


THE  URUBU. 


tail  are  brownest  black,  and  gleam  with  a  metallic  lustre.  The  length 
of  this  species  is  about  twenty-two  and  its  breadth  sixty-three  inches. 
This  bird  lives  for  the  most  part  in  the  vicinity  of  the  coast.  So  highly 
do  the  people  value  the  services  rendered  by  these  Vultures  that  in 
some  districts  it  is  made  a  punishable  offence  to  kill  them.  They  are 
gregarious,  peaceable  and  harmless,  never  offering  any  violence  to  any 
living  animal,  or  like  the  plunderers  of  the  Falco  tribe,  depriving  the 
husbandman  of  his  stock.  Hence,  though  in  consequence  of  their  filthy 
habits  they  are  not  beloved,  yet  they  are  respected,  and  protected  by  Jaw 
for  their  usefulness.  They  generally  roost  in  flgcks  on  the  limbs  of 


38  OF   THE   FALCON   OR   EAGLE   TRIBE. 

large  trees,  and  they  may  be  seen  on  a  summer  morning  spreading  out 
their  wings  to  the  rising  sun,  and  remaining  in  that  posture  for  a  con- 
siderable time. 

OF  THE  FALCON  OR  EAGLE  TRIBE. 

THE  bill  is  hooked ;  and  is  furnished  at  the  base  with  a  naked 
membranaceous  skin,  called  cere.  The  head 
and  neck  are  thickly  beset  with  feathers. 
The  nostrils  are  small,  and  placed  in  the 
cere ;  and  the  tongue  is  broad,  fleshy,  and 
generally  cleft  at  the  end.  The  legs  and 
feet  are  strong,  muscular  and  scaly ;  and 
the  large,  hooked,  and  very  sharp  claws, 
are  well  calculated  for  the  predacious  habits 
of  the  animals.  The  middle  toe  is  connected 
to  the  outermost  by  a  strong  membrane, 
and  the  claw  of  the  outer  toe  is  smaller 
than  that  of  any  of  the  others. 

This  tribe  differs  from  the  last  princi- 
pally in  the  animals  having  their  bill  and 
claws  much  more  hooked  and  sharp ;  in 

having  the  head  and  neck  in  general  thickly  covered  with  feathers, 
instead  of  being  naked,  or  covered  only  with  down ;  and  also  in  their 
usually  killing  their  prey  and  eating  it  while  fresh.  The  exuviaB  and 
bones  of  their  food  they  always  emit  at  the  mouth,  in  the  form  of 
round  pellets. 

This,. as  well  as  the  last,  is  an  excessively  rapacious  tribe  of  birds. 
They  prey  altogether  on  animal  food ;  yet  they  seldom  feed  on  carrion, 
except  when  driven  to  it  by  necessity.  They  are  able  to  sustain 
hunger  for  a  very  great  length  of  time ;  often  taking  in  as  much  food 
at  once,  as  will  last  them  for  several  days  without  a  fresh  supply.  Many 
of  these  species  eat  fish,  and  others  are  content  to  subsist  on  snakea 
and  reptiles. 

They  never  associate  ;  and,  except  during  the  breeding  season,  even 
two  of  them  are  seldom  seen  together.  They  are  extremely  quick 
sighted,  and  soar  to  amazing  heights  in  the  air.  When  they  dis- 
cern their  prey,  they  dart  upon  it  with  the  swiftness  of  an  arrow  :  and 
their  strength  is  so  great,  that  some  of  them  have  been  known  to 
carry  to  their  offspring  a  load  nearly  as  heavy  as  themselves,  and 
from  a  distance  of  forty  miles  and  upwards.  Most  of  them  build  their 
nests  in  lofty  and  inaccessible  places ;  but  a  few  of  the  species  form 
them"  on  the  ground.  In  general  the  females  are  much  larger  than 
the  males ;  for  the  purpose,  as  some  persons  have  conjectured,  of  more 
easily  providing  food  for  their  offspring. 

About  a  hundred  and  forty  different  species  have  been  discovered, 
of  which  upwards  of  twenty  are  natives  of  Great  Britain ;  but,  from 
the  extreme  difference  in  appearance,  between  many  of  the  males  and 
females  of  the  same  species  it  is  sometimes  a  difficult  task  to  ascertain 
them. 


THE   SECRETARY   FALCON. 


THE    SECRETARY    FALCON. 

This  bird,  when  standing  erect,  measures  about  three  feet  from  the 
top  of  the  head  to  the  ground.  The  bill  is  black,  sharp,  and  crooked, 
like  that  of  an  Eagle.  The  cere  is  white ;  and  round  the  eyes  there  is 
a  place  bare  of  feathers,  and  of  a  deep  orange  color.  The  upper  eye- 
lids are  beset  with  strong  bristles,  like  eye-lashes.  The  general  color 
of  the  plumage  is  a  bluish  ash  color ;  and  the  ends  of  the  wings,  the 
thighs,  and  vent,  are  blackish.  The  tail  is  somewhat  ash-colored, 
except  at  the  end,  which,  for  above  an  inch,  is  black,  and  then  tipped 
with  white :  the  two  middle  feathers  are  twice  as  long  as  any  of  the 
rest.  The  legs  are  long,  brown,  and  stouter  than  those  of  a  Heron ; 
the  claws  are  shortish,  but  crooked,  and  of  a  black  color. 

The  Secretary  Falcon  is  a  native  of  the  interior  parts  of  Africa,  Asia, 
and  the  Philippine  Islands. 

In  its  general  form  this  bird  resembles,  in  some  degree,  both  the 
Eagle  and  the  Crane  ;  having  its  head  shaped  like  that  of  the  former, 
and  its  body  somewhat  like  that  of  the  latter.  From  the  back  of  the 
head  spring  several  long  dark-colored  feathers,  that  hang  loose  behind 
like  a  pendant  crest,  which  the  bird  can  erect  or  depress  at  pleasure. 
"  The  Dutch  (says  M.  Le  Vaillant)  gave  to  it  the  name  of  Secretary, 
on  account  of  the  bunch  of  quills  behind  its  head :  for  in  Holland, 
clerks,  when  interrupted  in  their  writing,  stick  their  pe-n  in  their  hair 
behind  their  right  ear ;  and  to  this  the  tuft  of  the  bird  was  thought 
to  bear  some  resemblance." 

The  Hottentots  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  distinguished  this  bird 
by  a  name  that  signifies  the  Serpent-eater ;  and  it  would  almost  seem 
that  nature  had  principally  destined  it  for  the  purpose  of  confining 
within  due  bounds  the  race  of  Serpents,  which  is  very  extensive  in  all 
the  countries  that  this  bird  inhabits. 

The  mode  in  which  it  seizes  these  dan- 
gerous creatures  is  very  peculiar.  When 
it  approaches  them,  it  is  always  careful  to 
carry  the  point  of  one  of  its  wings  forward, 
in  order  to  parry  off  their  venomous  bites ; 
sometimes  it  finds  an  opportunity  of  spurn- 
ing and  treading  upon  its  antagonist,  or 
else  of  taking  him  on  its  pinions  and 
throwing  him  into  the  air.  When,  by  this 
proceeding,  it  has  at  length  wearied  him  out, 
and  rendered  him  almost  senseless,  it  kills 

8KCEETART  KILLING  A  HJV; 

and  swallows  him  at  leisure  without  danger. 

M.  Le  Vaillant  tells  us,  that  he  was  witness  to  an  engagement 
between  a  Secretary  Falcon  and  a  Serpent.  The  battle  was  obstinate, 
and  was  conducted  with  equal  address  on  both  sides.  But  the  Serpent 
at  length  feeling  the  inferiority  of  his  strength,  employed,  in  his  at- 
tempt to  regain  his  hole,  all  that  cunning  which  is  attributed  to  the 
tribe  ;  while  the  Bird,  apparently  guessing  his  design,  stopped  him  on 
•  sudden  and  cut  off  his  retreat,  by  placing  herself  before  him  at  a 


40  THE   SECRETARY   FALCON. 

single  leap  On  whatever  side  the  reptile  endeavored  to  make  his 
escape,  his  enemy  still  appeared  before  him.  Then,  uniting  at  once 
both  bravery  and  cunning,  the  serpent  boldly  erected  himself  to  inti- 
midate the  Bird,  and,  hissing  dreadfully,  displayed  his  menacing 
throat,  inflamed  eyes,  and  a  head  swollen  with  rage  and  venom 
4<  Sometimes  this  threatening  appearance  produced  a  momentary  sus- 
pension of  hostilities ;  but  the  Bird  soon  returned  to  the  charge,  ani 
covering  her  body  with  one  of  her  wings  as  a  buckler,  struck  hei 
enemy  with  the  bony  protuberance  of  the  other.  I  saw  him  at  last 
stagger  and  fall :  the  conqueror  then  fell  upon  him  to  dispatch  him, 
and,  with  one  stroke  of  her  beak,  laid  open  his  skull." 

At  this  instant  M.  Le  Vaillant  fired  at  and  killed  the  bird.  In  her 
craw  he  found,  on  dissection,  eleven  tolerably  large  Lizzards ;  three 
Serpents,  each  as  long  as  his  arm ;  eleven  small  Tortoises,  most  of  which 
were  about  two  inches  in  diameter ;  and  a  number  of  Locusts  and 
other  insects,  several  of  them  sufficiently  whole  to  be  worth  preser- 
ing  and  adding  to  his  collection.  He  observed,  too,  that,  in  addition  to 
this  mass  of  food,  the  craw  contained  a  sort  of  ball,  as  large  as  the  head 
of  a  Goose,  formed  of  the  vertebrae  of  Serpents  and  Lizards  ;  shells  of 
Tortoises;  and  wings,  claws,  and  shields,  of  different  kinds  of  Beetles. 

"Dr.  Solander  says,  that  he  has  seen  one  of  these  birds  take  up  a 
Snake,  a  small  Tortoise,  or  other  reptile,  in  its  claw,  and  dash  it  with 
so  much  violence  against  the  ground,  that  the  creature  immediately 
died ;  if,  however,  this  did  not  happen  to  be  the  case,  he  tells  us  that 
the  operation  was  repeated  till  the  victim  was  killed  ;  after  which  it 
was  eaten. 

The  Secretary  is  easily  tamed  ;  and  when  domesticated,  will  eat  any 
kind  of  food,  either  dressed  or  raw.  If  well  fed,  it  not  only  lives  with 
poultry  on  amicable  terms,  but,  when  it  sees  any  of  them  quarrelling, 
it  will  even  run  to  part  the  combatants  and  restore  order.  This  bird, 
it  is  true,  if  pinched  with  hunger,  will  devour,  without  scruple,  the 
ducklings  and  chickens ;  but  this  abuse  of  confidence,  if  it  may  be 
so  called,  is  the  effect  of  severe  hunger,  and  the  pure  and  simple  exer- 
cise of  that  necessity  which  rigorously  devotes  one  half  of  the  living 
creation  to  satisfy  the  appetite  of  the  rest. 

Tame  Secretaries  were  seen  by  M.  Le  Vaillant  in  several  of  the 
plantations  of  the  Cape.  He  says  that  they  commonly  lay  two  01 
three  white  eggs,  nearly  as  large  as  those  of  a  goose.  The  young- 
ones  remain  a  great  while  in  the  nest ;  because,  from  their  legs  being 
long  and  slender,  they  cannot  easily  support  themselves. 

However  shrewd  and  cunning  this  bird  may  be  in  its  general  con- 
duct, yet  M.  de  Buffon  seems  to  have  attributed  to  it  a  much  greater 
degree  of  intelligence  than  it  really  possesses: — "When  a  painter 
(says  be,  quoting  a  letter  of  the  viscount  de  Querhoent)  was  employed 
in  draving  one  of  the  Secretary  Falcons,  it  approached  him,  looked 
attentively  upon  his  paper,  stretched  out  its  neck,  and  erected  the 
feathers  of  its  head,  as  if  admiring  its  own  figure.  It  often  came  with 
its  wingd  raised,  and  its  head  projected,  to  observe  what  he  was  doing. 
It  also  thus  approached  me  two  or  three  times,  when  I  was  sitting  at 
a  table,  in  its  hut.  in  order  to  describe  it."  This  stretching  out  of  itf 


THE   WASHINGTON    EAGLE. 


41 


head,  and  erection  of  its  crest,  seem,  however,  to  have  arisen  from  no- 
thing more  than  that  love  which  almost  all  domesticated  birds  evince 
of  having  their  heads  scratched.  And  these  birds,  when  rendered 
familiar,  are  well  known  tu  approach  every  person  who  comes  near 
them,  and  to  stretch  out  their  necks  by  way  of  making  known  thia 
desire. 

This  singular  bird  has  not  long  been  known,  even- at  the  Cape:  but, 
when  we  consider  its  sociable  and  familiar  disposition,  we  are  disposed 
to  think  that  it  would  be  advisable  to  multiply  the  species,  particu- 
larly in  our  colonies ;  for  it  is  hardy  enough  to  endure  even  European 
climates,  where  it  might  be  serviceable  in  destroying  not  only  perni- 
cious reptiles,  but  Eats  and  Mice. 

The  Secretary  Falcons  make,  with  twigs,  a  flat  nest,  full  three  feet 
in  diameter,  and  line  it  with  wool  and  feathers.  This  is  usually 
formed  in  some  high  tuft  of  trees ;  and  is  often  so  well  concealed,  a's 
not  easily  to  be  discovered  even  by  the  most  scrutinizing  eye.  It  if. 
a  very  singular  circumstance,  that  in  their  contests  these  birds  always 
strike  forward  with  their  legs ;  and  not,  like  all  others,  backward. 


THE   WASHINGTON   EAGLE. 


The  Washington  Eagle,  says 
Nuttall,  bold  and  vigorous, 
disdains  the  piratical  habits  of 
the  Bald  Eagle,  and  invariably 
obtains  his  own  sustenance 
without  molesting  the  Osprey. 
The  circles  he  describes  in  his 
flight  are  wider  than  those  of 
the  White-headed  Eagle;  he 
ilso  flies  nearer  to  the  land  or 
the  surface  of  the  water;  and 
when  about  to  dive  for  his 
prey,  he  descends  in  circuitous, 
spiral  rounds,  as  if  to  check  the 
retreat  of  the  fish,  on  which  he 
darts  only  when  within  the 
distance  of  a  few  yards.  When 
his  prey  is  obtained,  he  flies 
•out  at  a  low  elevation  to  a 
considerable  distance  to  enjoy 
his  repast  at  leasure.  The 
quantity  of  food  consumed  by 
this  enormous  bird  is  very 
great,  according  to  the  account 
of  those  who  have  had  them  in 
3on>nnernent.  Mr.  Audubon's 
male  bird  weighed  fourteen 
and  s  half  pounds  avoirdupois. 


42 


"OLE  ABE." 


One  of  the  chief  attractions  in  Agricultural  Hall,  during  the  Centen- 
nial Exhibition  was  the  famous  "Old  Abe,- the  veteran  War  Eagle 
of  V  isconsin  the  hero  of  no  less  than  thirty-six  battles  and  skirmishes, 
during  the  late  war.  1  here  was  always  a  crowd  around  him,  as  he  sat 
perched  on  a  national  escutcheon,  supported  horizontally  on  a  pole,  the 


"OLD  ABE,"  THE  LIVE  WAR  EAGLE  OF  WISCONSIN. 
"NEVER  LOST  A  BATTLE." 

services  of  this  celebrated  Eagle  having  gained  him  a  national  reputa- 
tion. Among  all  the  incidents  of  our  memorable  war,  there  are  few 
more  remarkable  than  that  an  Eagle,  the  emblem  of  our  country,  should 
follow  a  regiment  through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  a  three  years'  service 
m  the  field,  always  at  the  front,  and  never  witnessing  defeat. 


"OLD  ABE."  43 

A  brief  biography  of  this  remarkable  bird  will  not  be  out  of  place 
here,  and  we  glean  the  following  facts  from  an  exceedingly  interesting 
and  complete  history,  written  by  Mr.  J.  O.  Barrett,  and  published  by 
Messrs.  Atwood  &  Culver,  Madison,  Wisconsin. 

The  bird  was  caught  when  only  about  two  months  old,  by  an  Indian 
called  A-ge-mah-we-ge-zhig,  or  Chief  Sky,  a  son  of  Ah-mouse,  chief  of 
a  tribe  of  Chippewa  Indians,  who  took  him  from  a  nest  on  a  pine  tree, 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Flambeau.  This  Indian  sold  him  to  a  Mr.  Dan- 
iel McCann  for  a  bushel  of  corn,  and  presented  by  a  Mr.  Jeffers  to  a 
company  organizing  for  the  Eighth  Wisconsin  Infantry.  The  Eagle 
was  duly  sworn  into  the  United  States  service  by  putting  around  his 
neck  red,  white  and  blue  ribbons,  and  on  his  breast  a  rosette  of  the  same 
colors.  Borne  upon  a  shield,  at  the  head  of  the  company  called  the 
"  Chippewa  Eagles,"  he  accompanied  them  to  the  front,  and  was  named 
"Old  Abe"  in  honor  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  With  them  he  shared  all 
the  dangers  and  privations  of  a  three  years'  campaign,  and  returned 
home  with  the  remnant  of  his  regiment  a  battle-scarred  veteran,  having 
been  wounded  on  two  occasions,  once  at  the  battle  of  Corinth,  October 
3d,  1862,  and  again  at  the  assault  on  Yicksburg.  The  most  wonderful 
accounts  are  given  of  his  behavior  during  the  heat  of  battle,  how  he 
grew  wild  with  excitement  at  the  clash  of  arms,  flapping  his  wings  and 
uttering  startling  screams.  "The  fiercer  and  louder  the  storm  of  battle, 
the  fiercer,  louder  and  wilder  were  his  screams."  It  was  not  surprising 
that  his  presence  at  the  head  of  the  regiment  should  have  created  such 
enthusiasm  as  it  did,  or  that  "Old  Abe"  has  acquired  such  an  enviable 
notoriety. 

When  the  regiment  returned  to  Madison,  September  22d,  1864,  a 
grand  reception  was  given  them,  in  which,  however,  the  main  attention 
was  riveted  on  "  Old  Abe,"  who  was  the  hero  of  the  hour.  He  was  on 
that  occasion  presented  by  the  regiment,  with  appropriate  ceremonies, 
to  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  and  accepted,  on  behalf  of  the  State,  by  Gov- 
ernor Lewis,  who  promised  that  he  should  be  well  cared  for  at  the  capitol, 
where  he  would  be  preserved  to  invoke  inspiring  memories  of  the  brave 
regiment  who  had  carried  him  with  such  honor  to  themselves  and  the 
i-v-ite.  He  has  a  pleasant  and  well-lighted  room  in  the  basement  of  the 
'  i-ite  capitol,  also  the  freedom  of  an  adjoining  room,  and  in  the  summer 
enjoys  the  capitol  park  under  the  care  of  his  attendant. 

He  is  brought  out  and  paraded  on  occasions  of  public  military  exer- 
r  -es  and  reviews,  and  always  excites  attention  and  enthusiasm.  He  has 
fciso  made  himself  useful  in  other  ways.  Advantage  was  taken  of  his 
celebrity  to  put  him  on  exhibition  at  several  Sanitary  Fairs  that  were 
held  in  the  West,  for  the  benefit  of  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  and  very 
large  sums  were  realized  by  the  sale  of  his  history,  photographs  and 
pictures.  At  the  Chicago  Sanitary  Fair,  in  the  winter  of  1864,  no  less 
a  sum  than  $16,000  was  raised  entirely  by  this  means. 

The  Wisconsin  Legislature  of  1876,  by  a  joint  resolution  of  Assem- 
bly and  Senate,  authorized  Governor  H.  Ludington  to  have  "Old  Abe" 
borne  to  the  Centennial  Exhibition  at  Philadelphia  by  some  veteran 
soldier  of  his  old  regiment,  to  show  to  the  assembled  thousands  from 
all  parts  of  the  world  how  happily  chosen  was  our  national  emblem. 


LAMMER-OEYER 


44  THE  BEARDED  EAGLE, 


THE  BEARDED  EAGLE,  OB  LAMMER-GEYER. 

The  beak  is  of  a  purplish  flesh-color,  and  hooked  only  at  the  point 
the  head  and  neck  are  corered  with  feathers. 
Beneath  the  throat  hangs  a  kind  of  beard,  com- 
posed of  very  narrow  feathers,  like  hairs.  The 
legs  are  covered  with  feathers  quite  to  the  toes, 
which  are  yellow :  the  claws  are  black.  The  body 
is  blackish-brown  above ;  and  the  under  parts  are 
white,  with  a  tinge  of  brown. 

The  Bearded  Eagles,  of  which  so  many  fabulous 
tales  have  been  related,  are  inhabitants  of  the 
highest  parts  of  the  great  chain  of  the  Alps  that 
separates  Switzerland  from  Italy,  They  are  fre- 
quently seen  of  immense  size.  One  that  was 
caught  in  the  canton  of  Glarus,  measured  from  the  tip  of  its  beak  to 
•the  extremity  of  its  tail,  nearly  seven  feet,  and  eight  feet  and  a  half 
•.from  tip  to  tip  of  its  wings ;  but  some  have  been  shot  that  were  much 
larger. 

These  birds  form  their  nests  in  the  clefts  of  rocks,  inaccessible  to 
man;  and  usually  produce  three  or  four  young-ones  at  a  time.  They 
subsist  on  alpine  animals,  such  as  Chamois,  white  Hares,  Marmots, 
Kids,  and  particularly  Lambs.  It  is  from  their  devouring  the  latter, 
that  they  are  called,  by  the  Swiss  peasants,  Lammer-ge^er,  or  Lamb 
Vultures.*  The  Bearded  Eagles  seldom  appear  except  in  small  par- 
•ties,  usually  consisting  of  the  two  old  birds  and  their  young-ones. 

If  common  report  may  be  credited,  this  rapacious  bird  does  not 
confine  its  assaults  to  the  brute  creation,  but  sometimes  attacks  and 
succeeds  in  carrying  off  young  children.  Gesner,  on  the  authority 
of  Fabricius,  says,  respecting  it,  that  some  peasants  between  Meissen 
and  Brisa,  in  Germany,  losing  every  day  some  of  their  cattle,  which 
they  sought  for  in  the  forests  in  vain,  observed  by  chance  a  very 
large  nest  resting  on  three  oaks,  constructed  with  sticks  and  branches 
of  trees,  and  as  wide  as  the  body  of  a  cart.  They  found  in' this  nest 
three  young  birds,  already  so  large  that  their  wings  extended  seven 
ells.  Their  legs  were  as  thick  as  those  of  a  Lion;  and  their  claws  the 
•size  of  a  man's  fingers.  In  the  nest  were  found  several  skins  of  Calvea 
ind  Sheep. 

It  appears  to  have  been  from  one  of  the  two  varieties  of  this  bird 
that  are  sometimes  seen  in  Persia  and  other  eastern  countries,  rather 
than  the  Condor,  as  is  generally  supposed,  that  the  fabulous  stories 
of  the  Roc  of  the  Arabian  Tales  originated  ;  since  the  latter  is  con- 
fined to  the  wild  districts  of  South  America,  and  has  never  been 
ascertained  to  have  visited  the  old  continent. 

One  of  these  varieties  also  it  is  that  Mr.  Bruce-  describes  as  having 

*  It  is,  however,  to  be  remarked  that  the  Swiss  do  not  confine  the  appellation  of 
•uammer-geyer  to  this  species,  but  sometimes  extend  it  to  other  large  birds  of  prey 


LAMMER-GEYER. 


45 


46  THE     BEARDED    EAGLE. 

§een  on  the  highest  part  of  the  mountain  of  Lamalmon,  not  far 
from  Gondar,  the  capital  of  Abyssinia.  He  says,  that  on  account  of 
the  tuft  of  hair  growing  beneath  its  beak,  the  inhabitants  call  it  Abou 
DucWn,  or  Father  Long-beard.  Mr.  Bruce  supposed  it  to  be  not  only 
one  of  the  largest  of  the  Eagle  kind,  but  one  of  the  largest  birds  in 
the  creation.  From  wing  to  wing  it  measured  eight  feet  four  inches : 
and  from  the  tip  of  its  tail  to  the  point  of  its  beak,  when  dead,  four 
feet  seven  inches.  It  weighed  twenty-two  pounds,  and  was  very 
full  of  flesh.  Its  legs  were  short,  but  the  thighs  extremely  muscular. 
Its  eyes  were  remarkably  small,  the  aperture  being  scarcely  half  an 
inch  across.  The  crown  of  the  head  was  bald,  as  was  also  the  front, 
where  the  bill  and  skull  joined. 

"  This  noble  bird  (says  this  celebrated  traveller)  was  not  an  object 
of  any  chase  or  pursuit,  nor  stood  in  need  of  any  stratagem  to  bring 
him  within  our  reach.  Upon  the  highest  top  of  the  mountain  Lamal- 
mon, while  my  servants  were  refreshing  themselves  from  that  toilsome, 
nigged  ascent,  and  enjoying  the  pleasures  of  a  most  delightful  climate 
eating  their  dinner  in  the  outer  air,  with  several  large  dishes  of  boiled 
goat's  flesh  before  them,  this  enemy,  as  he  turned  out  to  be  to  them 
suddenly  appeared;  he  did  not  stoop  rapidly  from 'a  height,  but  came 
flying  slowly  along  the  ground,  and  sat  down  close  to  the  meat,  with- 
in the  ring  the  men  had  made  round  it.  A  great  shout,  or  rather  cry 
of  distress,  called  me  to  the  place.  I  saw  the  Eagle  stand  for  a  min- 
ute, as  if  to  recollect  himself;  while  the  servants  ran  for  their  lances 
and  shields.  I  walked  up  as  nearly  to  him  as  I  had  time  to  do.  His 
attention  was  fixed  upon  the  flesh.  I  saw  him  put  his  foot  into  the- 
pan,  where  there  was  a  large  piece,  in  water,  prepared  for  boiling ; 
but  finding  the  smart,  which  he  had  not  expected,  he  withdrew  it,  and. 
forsook  the  piece  that  he  held. 

u  There  were  two  large  pieces,  a  leg  and  a  shoulder,  lying  upon  a 
wooden  platter:  into  these  he  thrust  both  his  claws,  and  carried  them 
off;  but  I  thought  he  still  looked  wistfully  at  the  large  piece  which 
remained  in  the  warm  water.  Away  he  went  slowly  along  the  ground, 
as  he  had  come.  The  face  of  the  cliff  over  which  criminals  are  thrown,, 
took  him  from  our  sight.  The  Mahometans  that  drove  the  Asses,. 
were  much  alarmed,  and  assured  me  of  his  return.  My  servants,  on 
the  other  hand,  very  unwillingly  expected  him,  and  thought  he  had 
already  taken  more  than  his  share. 

"  As  I  had  myself  a  desire  of  more  intimate  acquaintance  with  thig; 
Bird,  I  loaded  a  rifle-gun  with  ball,  and  sat  down  close  to  the  platter 
by  the  meat.  It  was  not  many  minutes  before  he  came,  and  a 
prodigious  shout  was  raised  by  my  attendants,  'He  is  coming,  he  is 
coming/  enough  to  have  dismayed  a  less  courageous  animal. 
Whether  he  was  not  quite  so  hungry  as  at  his  first  visit,  or  suspected 
something  from  my  appearance,  I  know  not ;  but  he  made  a  short 
turn,  and  sat  down  about  ten  yards  from  me,  the  pan  with  the  meat 
being  between  me  and  him.  As  the  field  was  clear  before  me,  and  I 
did  not  know  but  his  next  move  might  bring  him  opposite  to  some 
of  my  people,  so  that  he  might  actually  get  the  rest  of  the  meat  and 
make  off,  I  shot  him  with  the  ball  through  the  middle  of  his  body 


THE    IMPERIAL    EAGLE  —  HARPY    EAGLE.  47 

tbout  two  inches  below  the  wing,  so  that  he  lay  down  upon  the  grass 
without  a  single  flutter. 

"  Upon  laying  hold  of  his  monstrous  carcass,  I  was  not  a  little  sur- 
prised at  seeing  my  hands  covered  and  tinged  with  yellow  powder  or 
dust.  On  turning  him  upon  his  belly,  and  examining  the  feathers 
of  his  back,  they  also  produced  a  dust,  the  color  of  the  feathers  there. 
This  dust  was  not  in  small  quantites  ;  for,  upon  striking  the  breast^ 
the  yellow  powder  flew  in  full  greater  quantity  than  from  a  hair- 
•diesser's  powder  pun0.  The  feathers  of  the  belly  and  breast  which 
were  of  a  gold  color,  did  not  appear  to  have  any  thing  extraordi- 
nary in  their  formation  ;  but  the  large  feathers  in  the  shoulder  and 
wings  seemed  apparently  to  be  fine  tubes,  which,  upon  pressure, 
scattered  this  dust  upon  the  finer  part  of  the  feather  ;  but  this  was 
brown,  the  color  of  the  feathers  of  the  back.  Upon  the  side  of  the 
wing,  tne  ribs,  or  hard  part  of  the  feathers,  seemed  to  be  bare,  as  if 
worn  ;  or,  I  rather  think,  were  renewing  themselves,  having  beforo 
railed  in  their  functions. 

"What  is  the  reason  of  this  extraordinary  provision  of  nature,  it  i 
not  in  my  power  to  determine.  As  it  is  an  unusual  one,  it  is  pro- 
bably meant  for  a  defence  against  the  climate,  in  favor  of  birds  which 
live  in  those  almost  inaccessible  heights  of  a  country  doomed,  even 
in  its  lowest  parts,  to  several  month's  excessive  rain." 

THE    IMPERIAL   EAGLE. 

This  is  the  largest  species  of  Eagle  known,  measuring  three  feet 
and  a  half  from  the  tip  of  the  bill  to  the  end  of  the  tail;  and  to  it  may 
be  referred  all  the  accounts  of  the  ancients  respecting  the  strength, 
courage,  and  magnanimity  of  these  birds.  Its  color  above  is  rufoua 
gray,  barred  with  black,  the  black  prevailing  most  on  the  wings  ;  the 
head  is  strongly  crested  with  long  gray  feathers,  the  two  middle  ones 
being  five  inches  long  ;  the  tail  is  gray,  barred  and  spotted  with  black, 
and  tipped  with  rufous  :  the  under  parts  of  the  bird  are  pale  cinereous, 
rery  soft  and  downy  ;  the  beak  and  cere  black  ;  the  feet  and  legs  yel- 
ow  It  is  a  native  of  South  America,  inhabiting  the  deep  recesses  of 
<h<»  forest  ;  and  has  the  reputation  of  being  extremely  bold  and  fere- 


THE   HAEPY   EAGLE. 

It  has  been  correctly  observed  by  Mr.  Selby,  that  the  members  of 
the  aquiline  division  of  the  Raptorial  order  do  not  possess  the  same 
facility  of  pursuing  their  prey  upon  the  wing  which  we  see  in  the 
Falcons  and  Hawks:  for  though  their  flight  is  very  powerful,  they 
are  not  capable  of  the  rapid  evolutions  that  attend  the  aerial  attacks 
of  the  above-named  groups,  in  consequence  of  which  their  prey  is 
mostly  pounced  upon  the  ground.  The  shortness  or'  the  wings  of  the 
Harpy  Eagle,  when  compared  with  those  of  the  Golden  Eagle  of 
Europe,  and  their  rounded  form  and  breadth,  though  well  adapting 
them  for  a  continued  steady  flight,  render  them  less  efficient  as  organs 


48 


THE    HARPY    EAGLE. 


HARPY    EAGLE   AND   PBET- 


of  rapid  and  sudden  aerial  evolutions  than  those  of  the  latter;  but 
as  it  inhabits  the  woods,  and  does  not  prey  upon  birds,  but  animal 
incapable  of  saving  themselves  by  flight,  its  powers  of  wing  ( 01 
rather  the  modification  of  powers)  are  in  accordance  with  the  cir- 
cumstances as  to  food  and  locality  under  which  it  is  placed.  If  the 
Harpy  Eagle  soars  not  aloft,  hovering  over  plains  and  mountains,  it 
threads  the  woods,  it  skims  amidst  the  trees,  and  marks  the  Sloth 
suspended  on  the  branch,  or  the  Monkey  in  unsuspicious  security, 
\ud  with  unerring  aim  strikes  its  defenceless  victims.  Mr.  Selbv 
commenting  on  the  fierceness  of  a  pair  of  Golden  Eagles  in  his  po.- 


THE    HARPY    EAGLE.  49' 

session  and  their  readiness  to  attack  every  one  indiscriminate. y,  ob- 
serves that  when  living  prey  (as  Hares,  Rabbits,  or  Cats)  are  thrown 
to  them,  the  animal  is  "instantly  pounced  on  by  a  stroke  behind  the 
head  and  another  about  the  region  of  the  heart,  the  bill  appearing 
never  to  be  used  but  for  the  purpose  of  tearing  up  the  prey  when- 
dead."  It  is  precisely  in  this  manner  that  the  Harpy  Eagle  deal* 
with  his  victims;  death  seems  the  work  of  an  instant;  the  stronger 
Cat,  powerless  in  his  grasp,  is  clutched,  and  expires.  Nor  will  this* 
surprise  any  one  who  has  contemplated  the  power  seated  in  the  talona 
of  this  bird;  strong  as  are  the  talons  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  great  as  iu 
the  muscular  development  of  its  limbs,  and  formidable  as  are  it» 
claws,  they  seem  almost  trifling  compared  with  those  of  the  Harpy 
Eagle.  In  the  museum  of  the  Zoological  Society  are  skeletons  of 
both  these  birds,  which  it  is  interesting  to  compare  together.  The 
thickness  of  the  bones  of  the  limbs  in  the  latter,  and  especially  of  the 
tarsus,  which  is  more  than  double  that  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  and  the 
enormous  size  of  the  talons,  are  sufficient  to  convince  the  observer  of 
the  ease  with  which,  when  living,  the  fierce  bird  would  bury  its 
sharp-hooked  claws  in  the  vitals  of  its  prey,  and  how  vain  resistance 
when  the  fatal  grasp  was  taken.  In  its  native  regions  the  Harpy 
Eagle  is  said  to  be  by  no  means  common;  were  it  so,  the  destruction, 
occasioned  by  its  presence  would,  it  might  be  naturally  expected, 
preponderate  over  the  renovation  of  the  species  which  constitute  its 
habitual  food,  and  the  balance  which  nature  has  established  between 
the  destroyed  and  the  destroying,  the  sanguinary  and  their  victims, 
be  thus  disarranged.  No  doubt  that,  as  is  the  case  with  all  carnivo- 
rous animals,  its  numerical  ratio  in  a  given  space  is  proportionate 
to  that  of  the  animals  on  which  it  is  destined  habitually  to  feed. 
Where  the  Sloth  is  most  abundant,  there  will  most  abound  the 
Harpy  Eagle. 

The  general  color  of  this  noble  bird  is  slate  black ;  the  head  is  light 
slate-gray,  passing  into  dusky-black  on  the  crest;  the  under  parts  are 
white,  with  a  broad  band  of  dark  slate  color  across  the  chest.  The 
.ail  is  barred  with  black  and  slate  color.  The  beak  and  claws  are 
^laok ;  the  tarsi  yellow. 

THE   SEA    EAGLE 

In  comparison  with  the  flight  of  the  True  Eagle,  the  movements  of 
the  Haliaeta  in  the  air  are  slow  and  heavy ;  upon  the  ground,  however, 
it  moves  with  great  facility,  and  can  dive  to  a  certain  depth.  In  the 
development  of  its  senses  it  is  not  inferior  to  its  more  noble  relatives, 
bat.  unlike  them,  combines  so  much  cruelty  and  rapacity  with  its 
courage  as  to  deprive  its  disposition  of  that  majesty  popularly  attributed 
to  the  King  of  Birds.  The  breeding  season  commences  about  March, 
and  though  each  male  has  but  one  mate  during  its  entire  life,  many  and 
frequent  are  the  battles  that  arise  about  the  possession  of  these  often 
very  hardly-earned  partners.  Two  male  Eagles  will  fight  almost  incess- 
antly, falling  upon  each  other  with  beak  and  claws,  and  rolling  upon 
the  ground  until  their  feathers  fly  in  all  directions  and  blood  flows. 


THE   GOLDEN  EAGLE. 


THE   GOLDEN   EAGLE. 

The  Golden  Eagle  is  a  large  bird,  weighing  twelve  or  fourteen 

pounds ;  measuring  in 
length  three  feet,  and 
from  tip  to  tip  of  his 

wings  seven  feet  and 
a  half.  The  bill  ia 
deep  blue,  and  the 
cere  yellow.  The 
head  and  neck  are  of 
a  dark  brown,  bor- 
dered with  tawny: 
the  hind  part  o  f 
the  head  is  of  a 
bright  rust-color, 
and  the  rest  of  the 
body  brown..  The 
tail  is  blotched  with 
ash-color.  The  legs 
are  yellow,  and 
feathered  to  the  toes, 
which  are  scaly  :  the 
claws  are  remarka- 
bly large,  the  middle 
one  being  two  inches 
in  length. 

This  bird  is  a 
native  of  Europe, 
and  even  of  some  of 
the  more  mountain- 
ous parts  of  Great 
Britain. 

This  Eagle  has  generally  been  considered  by  mankind,  tjo  hold  the 
fabulous  or  imaginary  dominion  over  the  birds,  which  has  been 
attributed  to  the  Lion  over  quadrupeds.  M.  de  Buffon,  adopting  the 
idea,  is  also  of  opinion,  that  the  Eagle  and  the  Lion  have  many  points 
of  resemblance,  both  physical  and  moral.  "  Magnanimity  (he  says)  is 
equally  conspicuous  in  both;  they  despise  the  small  animals,  and  dis- 
regard their  insults.  It  is  only  after  a  series  of  provocations,  alter 
being  teased  with  the  noisy  or  harsh  notes  of  the  Eaven  or  Magpie, 
that  the  Eagle  determines  to  punish  the  temerity  or  the  insolence  of 
these  birds  with  death.  Besides,  both  disdain  the  possession  of  that 
property  which  is  not  the  fruit  of  their  own  industry;  rejecting  with 
contempt  the  prey  which  is  not  procured  by  their  own  exertions, 
Both  are  remarkable  for  their  temperance.  This  species  seldom  de- 
vours the  whole  of  his  game,  but,  like  the  Lion,  leaves  the  fragments 


80LDEN    EAGLE. 


THE   GOLDEN    EAGLE. 


51 


and  offals  to  other  animals.  Though  famished  for  want  of  prey,  he 
disdains  to  feed  upon  carrion. 

"Like  the  Lion,  also,  he  is  solitary;  the  inhabitant  of  a  desert,  over 
which  he  reigns  supreme,  excluding  all  the  other  birds  from  his  silent 
domain.  It  is  perhaps  even  more  uncommon  to  see  two  pairs  of 
Eagles  in  the  same  tract  of  mountain,  than  two  families  of  Lions  in 
the  same  part  of  the  forest.  They  separate  from  each  other  at  such 
vvide  intervals,  as  to  afford  ample  range  for  subsistence;  and  esteen, 
the  value  and  extent  of  their  dominion  to  consist  in  the  abundance 
of  prey  with  which  it  is  replenished. 

"  The  eyes  of  the  Eagle  have  the  glare  of  those  of  the  Lion,  and  are 
nearly  of  the  same  color ;  the  claws  are  of  the  same  shape  ;  the  organs 
of  sound  are  equally  powerful,  and  the  cry  equally  terrible.* 
Destined,  both  of  them,  for  war  and  plunder,  they  are  equally  tierce, 
bold,  and  intractable.  It  is  impossible  to  tame  them,  unless  they  be 
caught  when  in  their  infancy.  It  requires  much  patience  and  art  to 
train  a  young  Eagle  to  the  chase ;  and  after  he  has  attained  his  propel 
age  and  strength,  his  caprices  and  momentary  impulses  of  passion, 
are  sufficient  to  create  suspicions  and  fears  in  his  master.  Authors 
inform  us,  that  the  Eagle  was  anciently  used  in  the  East  for  Falconry ; 
but  this  practice  is  now  laid  aside.  He  is  too  heavy  to  be  carried  on 
the  hand :  nor  is  he  ever  rendered  so  tame  or  so  gentle,  as  to  remove 
jtll  suspicions  of  danger.  His  bill  and  claws  are  crooked  and 
formidable:  his  figure  corresponds  with  his  instinct:  his  body  is 
robust ;  his  legs  and  wings  are  strong ;  his  flesh  is  hard ;  his  bones 
.are  firm;  his  feathers  stiff;  his  attitude  bold  and  erect;  his  move- 
ments quick ;  his  flight  rapid.  He  rises  higher  in  the  air  than  any 
•other  of  the  winged  race ;  and  hence  he  was  termed  by  the  ancients 
the  Celestial  Bird,  and  was  regarded  in  their  mythology  as  the  mes- 
senger of  Jupiter.  He  can  distinguish  objects  at  an  immense  distance ; 
but  his  power  of  smell  is  inferior  to  that  of  the  Vulture.  By  means 
of  his  exquisite  sight,  he  pursues  his  prey;  and,  when  he  has  seized 
it  he  checks  his  flight,  and  places  it  upon  the  ground  to  examine  its 
weight,  before  he  carries  it  off.  Though  his  wings  are  vigorous;  yet, 
his  legs  being  stiff,  it  is  with  difficulty  he  can  rise,  especially  if  he  be 
loaded.  He  is  able  to  bear  away  Geese  and  Cranes :  be  also  carries 
off  Hares,  young  Lambs,  and  Kids.  When  he  attacks  Fawns  or 
Calves,  he  instantly  gluts  himself  with  their  blood  and  flesh,  and 
Afterwards  transports  their  mangled  carcasses  to  his  nest,  or  aery" 

Formed  for  war,  these  Birds  are  solitary  and  unsociable.  They  are 
also  fierce,  but  not  implacable;  and,  though  not  easily  tamed,  are 
vapable  of  great  docility.  They  will  not,  however,  bear  the  least 
harsh  usage  without  endevoring  to  resent  it.  A  gentleman  who  lived 
in  the  south  of  Scotland,  had,  not  many  years  ago,  a  tame  Eagle. 
This  Bird  the  keeper  one  day  injudiciously  lashed  with  a  horsewhip. 
About  a  wee'k  afterwards  the  man  chanced  to  stoop  within  reach 

*  The  voice  of  the  Lion  and  Eagle,  notwithstanding  this  assertion  of  M.  ae  Buffon, 
will  not  bear  comparison.     The  one  is  a  deep  and  dreadful  bass ;  and  the  other  a 
piercing  treble,  altogether  destitute  of  majesty. 
4 


52  THE    GOLDEN    EAGLE. 

of  its  chain ;  when,  recollecting  the  insult,  the  enraged  Animal  flew  in 
his  face  with  so  much  fury  and  violence,  that  he  was  terribly  wounded, 
but  was  driven  so  far  back  by  the  blow,  as  to  be  out  of  further  danger. 
The  screams  of  the  Eagle  alarmed  the  family ;  who  found  the  man 
lying  at  some  distance,  covered  with  blood,  and  equally  stunned  with 
the  fright  and  the  fall.  The  Bird  was  still  pacing  and  screaming  in  a 
manner  not  less  threatening  than  majestic ;  and,  shortly,  afterwards 
he  broke  his  chain  and  escaped. 

The  Golden  Eagles  build  their  nests  on  elevated  rocks,  ruinous  and 
solitary  castles  and  towers,  and  other  sequestered  places.  The  nest 
is  quite  flat ;  and  not  hollow,  like  the  nests  of  other  birds.  The  male 
and  female  commonly  place  it  between  two  rocks,  in  a  dry  and 
inaccessible  situation.  The  same  nest,  it  is  said,  serves  the  Eagle 
during  life.  Its  form  resembles  that  of  a  floor.  Its  basis  consists  of 
sticks  about  five  or  six  feet  in  length,  which  are  supported  at  eacL 
end ;  and  these  are  covered  with  several  layers  of  rushes  and  heath. 

An  Eagle's  nest  which  was,  some  years  ago,  found  in  the  Peak  of 
Derbyshire,  was  made  of  great  sticks,  and  one  end  of  it  rested  on  the 
edge  of  a  rock,  the  other  on  a  birch-tree.  Upon  these  was  a  layer  of 
rushes,  over  them  a  layer  of  heath,  and  on  the  heath  rushes  again ; 
upon  which  lay  one  young  Eagle,  and  an  addle  egg ;  and  by  them  a 
Lamb,  a  Hare,  and  three  heath  pouts.  The  nest  was  about  two  yards 
square,  and  had  no  hollow  in  it. 

The  females  never  lay  more  than  two  or  three  eggs.  These  they 
hatch  in  thirty  days.  They  feed  their  young  ones  with  the  slain 
carcasses  of  such  small  animals  as  come  in  their  way ;  and,  though  they 
are  at  all  times  formidable,  they  are  particularly  so  while  bringing  up 
their  offspring. 

It  is  said  that  once  during  a  summer  of  famine,  a  countryman  got  a 
comfortable  subsistence  for  his  family  out  of  an  Eagle's  nest.  He  pro- 
tracted the  assiduity  of  the  old  birds  beyond  their  usual  time,  by 
clipping  the  wings,  and  thus  retarding  the  flight,  of  their  young  ones ; 
and  tying  them  so  as  to  increase  their  cries,  which  are  always  found  to 
increase  the  dispatch  of  the  parents  in  supplying  their  wants.  It  was 
fortunate  for  him  that  the  old  ones  did  not  detect  the  plunderer, 
otherwise  their  resentment  might  have  proved  fatal.  A  peasant,  not 
many  years  ago,  resolved  to  rob  an  Eagle's  nest,  which  he  knew  to  be 
built  on  a  small  island  in  the  beautiful  lake  of  Killarney.  He  stripped 
himself  for  this  purpose,  and  swam  over  when  the  old  birds  were  gone: 
but,  in  his  return,  while  yet  up  to  the  chin  in  water,  the  parents,  coming 
home,  and  missing  their  offspring,  quickly  fell  on  the  plunderer,  and 
tilled  him  on  the  spot. 

Several  instances  have  been  recorded  of  children  being  seized  and 
carried  off  to  their  nests  by  Eagles.  In  the  year  1737,  in  the  parish 
of  Norderhougs,  in  Norway,  a  boy  somewhat  more  than  two  years  old, 
was  running  from  the  house  to  his  parents,  who  were  at  work  in  the 
fields  at  no  great  distance,  when  an  Eagle  pounced  upon  and  flew  off 
with  him,  in  their  sight.  It  was  with  bitterest  anguish  they  beheld 
their  child  dragged  away,  but  all  their  screams  and  efforts  to  prevent  it 
were  in  vain.  Anderson,  in  his  History  of  Iceland,  says,  that  in  that 


THE   OSPREY,  OR   FISHING    EAGLE. 


53 


inland  children  of  four  or  five  years  of  age  have  been  sometimes  taken 
away  by  Eagles ;  and  Ray  relates,  that  in  one  of  the  Orkneys,  a  child 
of  a  year  old  was  seized  in  the  talons  of  an  Eagle,  and  carried  above 
four  miles  to  its  nest.  The  mother,  knowing  the  place,  pursued  the 
bird,  found  her  child  in  the  nest,  and  took  it  away  unhurt. 

The  form  of  the  Golden  Eagle  is  extremely  muscular ;  but  their 
chief  strength  lies  in  their  beak,  their  talons,  and  their  wings.  There 
is  scarcely  any  quadruped  a  match  for  them ;  as  they  are  capable  of 
giving  the  most  terrible  annoyance,  without  much  danger  to  themselves 
One  flap  of  their  wing  has  been  known  to  strike  a  man  dead. 

These  birds  are  remarkable  for  longevity,  and  for  their  power  of 
sustaining  abstinence  from  food  for  a  great  length  of  time.  One  that 
died  at  Vienna,  had  been  in  confinement  above  a  hundred  years ;  and 
one  that  was  in  the  possession  of  a  gentleman  of  Conway,  in  Caernarvon- 
shire was,  from  the  neglect  of  his  servants,  kept  for  three  weeks  without 
any  sustenance. 


THE  .OSPREY,  OR  FISHING  EAGLE. 

The  length,  from  the  point  of  the  beak  to  the  end  of  the  tail,  is 
about  two  feet,  and 
the  expanded  wings 
measure  somewhat 
more  than  five  feet. 
The  wings  when 
closed,  reach  beyond 
the  end  of  the  tail. 
The  head  is  small; 
and  is  black  or  brown, 
variegated  with  white 
nt  the  top.  The  upper 
oarts  of  the  body,  and 
the  whole  of  the  tail, 
are  brown,  and  the 
belly  is  white.  It  is 
a  singular  circum- 
stance in  this  bird, 
that  the  outer  toe  turns 
easily  backward,  so  as 
oa  occasion  to  have 
the  toes  two  forward 
and  two  backward, 
and  it  has  a  much 
larger  claw  than  the 

inner  one.     This  and  the  peculiar  roughness  of  the  whole  foot  under- 
neath, are  well  adapted  for  the  securing  of  its  prey. 

The  Osprey  frequents  large  rivers,  lakes,  and  the  sea-shore  both  of 
Europe  and  America.  In  the  latter  country,  particularly,  it  often 
affords  amusement  to  strangers.  During  the  spring  and  summer, 


54 


THE   OSPREY,  OR    FISHING    EAGLE. 


months,  this  bird   is  frequently  seen  hovering  ovei  the  rivers,  or 

resting  on  tho 
wing  for  seve- 
ral minutes  at 
a  time,  without 
the  least  visi 
ble  change  of 
place.  It  then 
suddenly  darts 
down,  and 
plunges  into 
the  water, 
whence  it  sel- 
dom  rises 
again  without 
a  fish  in  its 
talons.  When 
it  rises  into 
the  air,  it  im- 
mediately 
shakes  off  the 
water,  which  it 
throws  around 
like  a  mist,  and 
pursues  its  way 
towards  the 
woods.  The 

Bald  Eagle,  which,  on  these  occasions,  is  generally  upon  the  watch, 
instantly  pursues,  and,  if  it  can  overtake,  endeavors  to  soar  above  it. 
The  Osprey,  solicitous  for  its  own  safety,  drops  the  fish  in  alarm ; 
the  Eagle  immediately  pounces  at  this  prey,  and  never  fails  to  catch 
it  before  it  reaches  the  water,  leaving  the  hawk  to  begin  his  work 
afresh. 

It  is  somewhat  remarkable,  that  whenever  the  Osprey  catches  a  fish, 
it  always  makes  a  loud  screaming  noise ;  which  the  Eagle,  if  within 
hearing,  never  fails  to  take  as  a  signal.  Sometimes  it  happens,  that, 
if  the  Osprey  be  tolerably  large  and  strong,  it  will  contend  with  the 
Bag.*-,  for  its  rightful  property ;  and,  though  generally  conquered  in 
the  end,  a  contest  of  this  sort  has  been  sustained  for  upwards  of  half 
an  hour. 


OflPREY  BOBBED  OF  ITS  PREY   BT  THE  EAGLE. 


THE  BLACK,  OR  COMMON  BAGLE. 

Its  length  is  two  feet  ten  inches ;  the  bill  is  horn -colored,  and  the 
oere  reddish.  The  general  color  of  the  plumage  is  blackish;  and  the 
head  and  upper  parts  of  the  neck,  are  mixed  with  yellow.  The  lower 
half  of  the  tail  IB  white,  with  blackish  spots ;  the  other  half  blackish ; 
The  legs  an;  covered  with  dirty  white  feathers ;  the  toes  are  yellow,  and 
the  claw..  Uack. 


THE  BLACK,  OR  COMMON  EAGLE. 


55 


BLACK    EAGrFS. 


Their  aeries  are  usually  formed  amongst  the  branches  of  the  highest 
trees;  and  one  of  them,  which  was  seen  in  the  mountains  of 
Auvergne,  is  described  to  have  measured  more  than  five  superficial 
feet. 

An  Eagle  of  this  species,  which  was  in  the  possession  of  the  Abbe 
Spallanzani,  was  so  powerful,  as  to  be  able  to  kill  Dogs  that  were 
much  larger  than  itself.  When  the  Abbe  forced  one  of  these  anima 


56 


THE    WHITE-HEADED,    OR    BALD    EAGF.K. 


into  the  apartment  where  the  Eagle  was  kept,  the  Bird  immediately 
ruffled  the 'feathers  on  its  head  and  neck,  cast  a  dreadful  look  at  its 
victim,  and,  taking  a  short  flight,  immediately  alighted  on  his  back, 
It  held  the  neck  firmly  with  one  foot,  by  which  the  Dog  was  prevented 
from  turning  his  head  to  bite,  and  with  the  other  grasped  one  of  his 
flanks,  at  the  same  time  driving  its  talons  into  the  body ;  and  in  this 
attitude  it  continued,  till  the  Dog  expired  with  fruitless  outcries  and 
efforts.  The  beak,  which  had  been  hitherto  unemployed,  was  now 
used  for  making  a  small  hole  in  the  skin :  this  was  gradually  enlarged  ; 
and  from  this,  the  Bird  began  to  tear  away  and  devour  the  flesh,  and 
went  on  till  he  was  satisfied. 

Notwithstanding  its  ferocity  in  attacking  animals,  this  Eagle  never 
gave  any  molestation  to  man.  Its  owner,  who  constantly  fed  it,  could 
safely  enter  the  apartment  where  the  bird  was  kept,  and  could  behold 
these  assaults  without  dread  or  apprehension;  nor  was  the  Eagle 
prevented  from  attacking  the  living  prey  he  offered  to  it,  or  rendered 
shy  by  his  presence.  In  general,  when  it  had  flesh  sufficient,  it  made 
only  one  meal  a  day.  The  Abbe  found,  by  weighing  what  it  ate,  that 
thirty  ounces  of  flesh,  one  day  with  another,  were  fully  sufficient  for  it. 

These  birds  are  found  in  all  quarters  of  the  world ;  and  in  hot  as 
well  as  cold  climates.  Poiret  speaks  of  having  encountered  them  in 
the  plains  of  Barbary.  They  are  also  very  common  in  several  parts 
of  Europe,  in  Persia,  and  Arabia ;  and  also  in  most  of  the  mountainous 
districts  of  America. 


THE  WHITE-HEADED  EAGLE,  OR  BALD  EAGLE. 


WfIITB-UEAl>KD    BA.QLK. 


The  White 
headed  Eagle,  or 
Bald  Eagle,  as  it  is 
called  uy  Wilson, 
inhabits  most  parts 
of  America,  and 
especially  fre- 
quents the  cataract 
of  Niagara.  It  is 
very  accommodat- 
ing in  its  appetite, 
and  preys  indis 
criminately  on 
Lambs,  Pigs,  Swans 
and  the  Fish  which, 
as  related  above, 
it  takes  away  from 
the  unfortunate 
Osprey  Some 
times  it  can  take 
Fish  honorably  for 
itself  in  shallow 
water,  by  wading 


THE   COMMON  BUZZARD.  57 

as  far  as  it  can  and  snatching  up  the  fish  with  its  beak.  Audubon 
gives  a  splendid  description  of  the  chase  of  a 
swan  by  an  Eagle,  but  want  of  space  prevents 
insertion. 

Like   the   Golden   Eagle,  this   bird   lives   con- 
stantly with  its  mate,  and  hunts  in  company.     It 
fj"  J|p^*^\^      lavs  from  two  to  four  eggs,  of  a  dull  white  color 

in  a  huge  nest  placed  in  a  tall  tree. 
The  claws  of  this  bird  are  grooved  beneath,  and  the  hind  claw  is 
the  longest.  The  feet  are  half-feathered,  and  the  fourth  primary 
feather  of  the  wing  is  the  longest.  When  full  grown,  the  general 
color  of  the  bird  is  a  deep,  brownish  black,  but  its  head,  neck,  tail, 
and  upper  tail-coverts  are  white. 


THE  COMMON  BUZZARD. 

The  Buzzard  is  about  twenty  inches  in  length,  and  four  feet  and  a 
half  in  breadth.  Its  bill  is  lead-colored.  The  upper  parts  of  the  body 
are  dusky :  and  the  lower  pale,  varied  with  brown.  The  wings  and 
tail  are  marked  with  bars  of  a  darker  hue.  The  tail  is  grayish  beneath 
nd  tipped  with  dusky  white.  The  legs  are  yellowish,  and  the  claws 
black. 

This  well-known  bird  is  of  a  sedentary  and  indolent  disposition ;  it 
will  frequently  continue  perched  for  many  hours  successively  upon  a 
tree  or  eminence,  from  which  it  darts  upon  such  prey  as  come  within 
its  reach.  It  feeds  on  birds,  small  quadrupeds,  reptiles  and  insecta 
Though  possessed  of  strength,  agility,  and  weapons  to  defend  itself,  it 
is  cowardly,  inactive,  and  slothful.  It  will  fly  from  a  Sparrow-hawk ; 
and,  when  overtaken,  will  suffer  itself  to  be  beaten,  and  even  brought 
to  the  ground,  without  resistance. 

There  are  few  birds  of  the  hawk  species  more  common  in  this 
country,  than  the  buzzard.  It  breeds  in  large  woods ;  and  usually 
builds  in  an  old  crow's  nest,  which  it  enlarges,  and  lines  with  wool 
imd  other  soft  materials.  It  feeds  and  tends  its  offspring,  which  are 
generally  two  or  three  in  number,  with  great  assiduity.  Mr.  Eay 
affirms,  that  if  the  female  be  killed  during  the  time  of  incubation,  the 
male  Buzzard  will  take  the  charge  of  the  young  ones,  and  will  patiently 
rear  them  till  they  are  able  to  provide  for' themselves. 

The  following  anecdote,  which  was  related  by  M.  Fontaine,  cur£  de 
St.  .Pierre  de  Belesme,  to  M.  de  Buffon,  will  show  that  the  Buzzard 
may  be  so  far  tamed,  as  to  be  rendered  a  faithful  domestic.  "In  1763 
(says  this  gentleman,)  a  Buzzard  was  brought  to  me  that  had  been 
taken  in  a  snare.  It  was  at  first  wild  and  ferocious.  I  undertook  to 
tame  it;  and  I  succeeded,  by  leaving  it  to  fast,  and  constraining  it  to 
come  and  eat  out  of  my  hand.  By  pursuing  this  plan,  I  brought  it  to 
be  very  familiar ;  and,  after  having  shut  it  up  about  six  weeks,  I  began 
to  allow  it  a  little  liberty,  taking  the  precaution,  however,  to  tie  both 
pinions  of  its  wings.  In  this  condition  it  walked  out  into  m\  garden, 
and  returned  when  I  called  it  to  feed.  After  some  time,  \vh<  n  f  judged 


58  THE    COMMON    BUZZARD. 

that  I  could  trust  to  its  fidelity,  I  removed  the  ligatures ;  and  fastened 
a  small  bell,  an  inch  and  a  half  in  diameter,  above  its  talon,  and  also 
attached  to  its  breast  a  bit  of  copper,  having  my  name  engraved  on  it 
I  then  gave  it  entire  liberty,  which  it  soon  abused  ;  for  it  took  wing, 
and  flew  as  far  as  the  forest  of  Belesme.  I  gave  it  up  for  lost ;  but 
four  hours  afterwards,  I  saw  it  rush  into  my  hall,  pursued  by  five 
other  buzzards,  which  had  constrained  it  to  seek  again  its  asylum. 

"After  this  adventure,  it  preserved  its  fidelity  to  me,  coming  ever}-* 
night  to  sleep  on  my  window.  It  soon  became  familiar;  attended  con- 
stantly at  dinner ;  sat  on  a  corner  of  the  table,  and  often  caressed  me 
with  its  head  and  bill,  emitting  a  weak,  sharp  cry,  which,  however,  it 
sometimes  softened.  It  is  true  that  I  alone  had  this  privilege.  It  one 
day  followed  me  when  I  was  on  horseback,  more  than  two  leagues, 
flying  above  my  head. 

"  It  had  an  aversion  both  to  Dogs  and  Cats ;  nor  was  it  in  the  least 
afraid  of  them :  it  had  often  tough  battles  with  them,  but  always  came  off 
victorious.  I  had  four  strong  Cats,  which  I  collected  into  my  garden 
with  my  Buzzard.  I  threw  to  them  a  bit  of  raw  flesh :  the  nimblewt 
Cat  seized  it ;  the  rest  pursued,  but  the  Bird  darted  upon  her,  bit  her 
ears  with  his  bill,  and  squeezed  her  sides  with  his  talons  so  forcibly, 
that  the  Cat  was  obliged  to  relinquish,  her  prize.  Often  another  Cat 
snatched  it  the  instant  it  dropped ;  but  she  suffered  the  same  treatment, 
till  the  Buzzard  got  entire  possession  of  the  plunder.  He  was  so  dex- 
terous in  his  defence,  that,  when  he  perceived  himself  assailed  at  once 
by  the  four  Cats,  he  took  wing,  and  uttered  a  cry  of  exultation.  At 
last,  the  Cats,  chagrined  by  their  repeated  disappointment,  would  no 
longer  contend  with  him. 

"  This  Buzzard  had  a  singular  antipathy :  he  would  not  suffer  a  red 
cap  to  remain  on  the  head  of  any  of  the  peasants ;  and  so  alert  was  he 
in  whipping  it  off,  that  they  found  their  heads  bare  without  knowing 
what  was  become  of  their  caps.  He  also  snatched  away  wigs,  without 
doing  any  injury ;  and  he  carried  these  caps  and  wigs  to  the  tallest 
tree  in  a  neighboring  park,  which  was  the  ordinary  deposit  of  his 
booty. 

"  He  would  suffer  no  other  Birds  of  prey  to  enter  his  domain :  he 
attacked  them  boldly,  and  put  them  to  flight.  He  did  no  mischief  in 
my  court-yard ;  and  the  poultry,  which  at  first  dreaded  him,  grew  in- 
sensibly reconciled  to  him.  The  Chickens  and  Ducklings  received  not 
the  least  harsh  usage ;  and  yet  he  bathed  among  the  latter.  But,  what 
is  singular,  he  was  not  gentle  to  my  neighbors'  poultry ;  and  I  was 
often  obliged  to  publish  that  I  would  pay  for  the  damages  that  he 
might  occasion.  However,  he  was  frequently  fired  at ;  and,  at  different 
times,  received  fifteen  musket-shots  without  suffering  any  fracture. 
But  once,  early  in  the  morning,  hovering  over  the  skirts  of  a  forest, 
he  dared  to  attack  a  Fox ;  and  the  keeper,  seeing  him  on  the  shoulders 
of  the  Fox,  fired  two  shots  at  him:  the  Fox  was  killed,  and  the 
Buzzard  had  his  wing  broken;  notwithstanding  this  fracture,  he 
escaped  from  the  keeper,  and  was  lost  for  seven  days.  This  man 
having  discovered,  from  the  noise  of  the  bell,  that  it  was  my  Bird  he 
had  shot,  came  the  next  morning  to  inform  me.  I  sent  to  search  neai 


THE  KITE — GENTIL  FALCON.  59 

the  spot ;  but  the  Bird  could  not  be  found,  nor  did  it  return  till  sever* 
days  afterwards.  I  had  been  used  to  call  him  every  evening  with  a 
whistle :  this  he  did  not  answer  for  six  days ;  but  on  the  seventh  1 
heard  a  feeble  cry  at  a  distance,  which  I  judged  to  be  that  of  my 
Buzzard:  I  repeated  the  whistle  a  second  time,  and  heard  the  same  cry, 
I  went  to  the  place  from  which  the  sound  came ;  and,  at  last,  found  my 
poor  Buzzard  with  his  wing  broken.  He  had  travelled  more  than  halt' 
^  league  on  foot  to  regain  his  asylum,  from  which  he  was  then  distant 
about  a  hundred  and  twenty  paces.  Though  he  was  extremely  re- 
duced, he  gave  me  many  caresses.  It  was  six  weeks  before  he  was  re- 
cruited, and  his  wounds  were  healed  ;  after  which  he  began  to  fly  as 
before,  and  to  follow  his  old  habits :  these  he  continued  for  about  a 
year,  and  then  disappeared  for  ever." 


THE   KITE,    GLEDE,    OB   GLED. 

The  Kite,  Glede,  or  Gled,  is  not  uncommon  in  England,  and  i0 
spread  over  Europe,  Asia,  and  Northern 
Africa.  It  is  especially  hated  by  the  farmer 
for  its  depredations  on  his  poultry,  and  its 
appearance  is  the  signal  for  a  general  outcry 
among  the  terrified  poultry,  who  perceive  it 
long  before  the  keenest-eyed  man  can  dis- 
tinguish it  from  a  casual  'spot  in  the  distant 
sky.  The  sportsman  also  detests  it  for  the 
havoc  which  it  makes  among  the  game, — 
possibly  the  Kite  hates  the  sportsman  for 
the  same  reason. 

It  builds  in  tall  trees,  and  lays  three  eggs,  white,  spotted  with  red* 
dish  brown  at  the  larger  end.  Its  length  is  rather  more  than  two  feet; 
the  fourth  primary  feather  is  the  longest,  the  first  and  seventh  nearly 
equal. 


THE   GENTIL  FALCON. 

The  Gentil  Falcon  measures  about  two  feet  in  length.  Its  beak  i» 
of  a  red  color,  with  a  yellow  cere.  The  head  and  back  part  of  the  neck 
are  rusty,  with  oblong  black  spots.  The  back  and  wings  are  brown, 
and  each  feather  of  the  wings  is  tipped  with  rust-color.  The  quills  are 
dusky ;  the  outer  webs  barred  with  black,  and  the  lower  parts  of  the 
inner  webs  are  marked  with  white.  The  wings  reach  to  the  middle 
of  the  tail,  which  is  banded  with  black  and  ash-color,  and  tipped  with 
white.  The  legs  are  short  and  yellow,  and  the  claws  black. 

When,  in  ancient  times,  the  sport  of  falconry  was  in  high  repute, 
this  was  one  of  the  species  of  Falcons  which  was  employed.  It  is  a 
spirited  and  dauntless  bird ;  and  in  a  wild  state  is  a  native  of  the  rocka 
af  Caernarvonshire,  and  the  Highlands  of  Scotland. 

In  Syria  there  is  a  small  variety  of  the  Gentil  Falcon,  which  the  in- 


60  THE    GOSHAWK — HEN    HARRIER. 

habitants  denominate  Shaheen ;  and  which  is  of  so  fierce  and  coura- 
geous a  disposition,  that  it  will  attack  any  Bird,  however  large  01 
powerful ,  which  presents  itself.  "  Were  there  not  (says  Dr.  Eussel,  in 
his  account  of  Aleppo)  several  gentlemen  now  in  England,  to  beai 
witness  to  the  fact,  I  should  hardly  venture  to  assert  that,  with  this 
bird,  which  is  about  the  size  of  a  Pigeon,  the  inhabitants  sometimes 
take  large  Eagles.  This  Hawk,  in  former  times,  was  taught  to  seize 
the  Eagle  under  the  pinion,  and  thus  depriving  him  of  the  use  of  one 
wing,  both  birds  fell  to  the  ground  together;  but  I  am  informed  thai 
the  present  mode  is  to  teach  the  Hawk  to  fix  on  the  back,  between  the 
wings,  which  has  the  same  effect,  only  that,  the  bird  tumbling  down 
more  slowly,  the  falconer  has  more  time  to  come  to  his  Hawk's 
assistance ;  but  in  either  case,  if  he  be  not  very  expeditious,  the  Falcon 
is  inevitably  destroyed. 

"  I  never  saw  the  Shaheen  fly  at  Eagles,  that  sport  having  been  dis- 
used before  my  time ;  but  I  have  often  seen  him  take  Herons  and 
Storks.  The  Hawk,  when  thrown  off,  flies  for  some  time  in  a 
horizontal  line,  not  six  feet  from  the  ground,  then  mounting  perpen- 
dicularly, with  astonishing  swiftness,  he  seizes  his  prey  under  the  wing, 
and  both  together  come  tumbling  to  the  ground.  If  the  falconer, 
however,  be  not  expeditious,  the  game  soon  disengages  itself  and 
escapes." 


THE   GOSHAWK. 

The  Goshawk  is  found  plentifully  in  most  of  the  wooded  districts  o4 
Europe,  but  is  comparatively  rare  in  the  British  Isles.  It  seldom 
breeds  south  of  Scotland,  but  its  nest  is  not  unfrequently  found  in  thai 
•country,  built  upon  lofty  trees,  principally  firs,  and  containing  three 
eggs  of  a  bluish  white  color  with  reddish  brown  marks.  When  it 
pursuit  of  prey,  it  strikes  its  victim  to  the  ground  by  the  force  witl 
vhich  it  dashes  through  the  air.  Should  the  terrified  quarry  hide 
itself,  the  Goshawk  takes  up  its  station  on  some  elevated  spot,  anc 
Ihere  patiently  waits  until  the  game  takes  wing.  Its  principal  fooc 
-consists  of  Hares,  Squirrels,  Pheasants,  and  other  large  Birds,  whicl 
its  great  strength  enables  it  to  destroy.  Its  length  is  about  two  feet ; 
the  fourth  primary  feather  is  the  longest. 


THE   HEN   HARRIEE. 

The  Hen  Harrier  is  about  seventeen  inches  long,  and  three  feel 
wide.  Its  bill  is  black,  and  cere  yellow.  The  upper  parts  of  its  bodj 
%re  of  a  bluish  gray :  and  the  back  of  the  head,  the  breast,  belly, 
and  thighs  are  white ;  the  two  former  marked  with  dusky  streaks 
The  two  middle  feathers  of  the  tail  are  gray,  and  the  outer  webs  of 
the  others  are  of  the  same  color ;  but  the  inner  ones  are  marked  witt 
Alternate  bars  of  white  and  rust-color.  The  legs  are  long,  slender 
and  yellow  ;  and  the  claws  black. 


THE   HEN   HARRIER. 


61 


It  is  about  forests,  heaths,  and  other  retired  places,  especially  in  the 
neighborhood  of  marshy  grounds,  where  they  destroy  vast  numbers 
of  Snipes,  that  these  birds  are  usually  seen.  They  sail  with  great 
regularity  all  over  a  piece  of  marsh,  till  they  discover  their  prey, 
when  they  immediately  pounce  upon  and  seize  it. 

A  gentleman  who  was  shooting  in  Hampshire,  by  chance  sprung  a 
Pheasant  in  a  wheat-stubble,  and  shot  at  it :  notwith- 
standing the  report  of  the  gun,  it  was  pursued  by  a 
Hen  Harrier,  but  escaped  into  a  covert.  He  then 
sprung  a  second,  and  a  third,  in  the  same  field,  and 
these  likewise  got  away ;  the  Hawk  hovering  round 
him  all  the  while  he  was  beating  the  field,  con- 
scious, no  doubt,  of  the  game  that  lurked  in  the 
stubble.  Hence  we  may  conclude,  that  this  bird  of 
prey  was  rendered  daring  and  bold  by  hunger,  and 
that  Hawks  are  not  always  in  a  condition  to  strike 
their  game.  We  may  further  observe,  that  they 
cannot  pounce  on  their  quarry  when  it  is  on  the 
ground,  where  it  might  be  able  to  make  a  stout 
resistance  •  since  so  large  a  fowl  as  a  Pheasant  could 


"EN    HARRIER. 


62  THE    SPARROW-HAWK. 

not  but  be  visible  to  the  piercing  eye  of  a  Hawk,  when  hoveim? 
over  it.  Hence  that  propensity  in  game  to  cowering  and  squatting  til? 
they  are  almost  trodden  on;  which,  doubtless,  was  intended  by  Provi- 
dence, as  a  mode  of  security,  though  it  has  long  been  rendered  destruc 
tive  by  the  invention  of  nets  and  guns. 

A  Hen  Harrier  that  was  shot  some  years  ago  near  London,  was 
first  observed  dodging  round  the  lower  parts  of  some  old  trees,  and 
then  seeming  to  strike  against  the  trunks  of  them  with  its  beak  or 
talons,  but  still  continuing  on  wing.  The  cause  of  this  singular 
conduct  could  not  even  be  conjectured,  till  after  it  was  killed;  when 
on  opening  its  stomach,  nearly  twenty  small  brown  Lizards  were 
found  there,  which  it  had  artfully  seized,  by  coming  suddenly  upon 
them.  They  were  each  bitten  or  torn  into  two  or  three  pieces. 

These  destructive  birds  may  be  caught  by  means  of  a  trap,  baited 
with  a  stuffed  Babbit's  skin,  and  covered  nicely  over  with  moss.  They 
breed  annually  on  the  Cheviot-hills;  and  from  a  Hen  Harrier  and 
Ring  Tail  (Falco  pygargus)  having  been  shot  on  the  same  nest,  it  ap- 
pears that  these  are  not  two  distinct  species,  however  different  they 
may  be  in  appearance,  but  that  they  are  in  reality  the  male  and 
female  of  the  same. 

The  nest  of  the  Hen  Harrier  is  usually  formed  near  the  ground, 
amongst  furze  or  in  thickets.  It  is  constructed  of  sticks  rudely  put 
together,  and  is  nearly  flat.  The  eggs  are  about  four  in  number, 
without  spots,  and  of  a  dirty  white  color. 

THE   SPARROW-HAWK. 

The  male  Sparrow-nawk  is  about  twelve,  and  the  female,  fifteen, 
inches  in  length.  The  exterior  feathers  of  the 
upper  parts  of  the  latter  are  brown,  with  dusky 
edges;  and  on  the  back  of  the  head  there  are 
some  whitish  spots.  The  under  parts  are 
yellowish  white,  waved  with  light  brown.  The 
chin  is  streaked  with  perpendicular  lines  of 
brown.  The  tail  is  barred  with  dark  brown, 
and  is  white  at  the  end.  The  legs  are  yellow, 
and  the  claws  black.  The  male  is  somewhat 
different.  The  upper  part  of  its  breast  is  of  a 
dark  lead-color;  the  bars  on  this  part  are  more 
numerous,  and  the  under  parts  are  altogether 
darker.  In  both  sexes  the  bill  is  blue,  and  the 
cere  yellow. 

The  Sparrow-hawk  is  a  bold  bird.  It  is  the 
dread  of  the  farm-yard,  for,  at  times,  it  makes 
great  havoc  among  young  poultry;  and  it  commits  its  depradations 
in  the  most  daring  manner,  even  in  the  presence  of  mankind.  In  win- 
ter it  often  makes  havoc  among  the  flocks  of  Buntings  and  Finches. 

Few  of  the  rapacious  birds  are  so  docile  and  obedient  as  this. 
When  properly  trained  it  is  capable  of  great  attachment;  and  it  is 
*o  far  susceptible  of  education,  that  it  may  be  taught  to  pursue  Par- 


BPARROW    HAWK. 


THE    SWALLOW-TAILED    HAWK. 


63 


tridges  and  other  game      It  will   also  pounce  upon  Pigeons  when 
-separated  from  their  companions. 

The  editor  of  a  respectable  publication,  entitled  the  Beauties  of 
Natural  History,  states,  that  when  he  was  a  boy  he  had  a  Sparrow- 
hawk  that  used  to  accompany  him  through  the  fields,  catch  its  game, 
devour  it  at  leisure,  and,  after  all,  find  him  out  \\herever  he  went; 
nor,  after  the  first  or  second  adventure  of  this  kind,  was  he  ever 
afraid  of  losing  the  bird.  A  peasant,  however,  to  his  great  mortifica- 
tion, one  day  shot  it  for  having  made  too  free  with  some  of  his  poultry. 
It  was  about  as  large  as  a  Wood-pigeon;  and  this  gentleman  says  he 
•has  seen  it  fly  at  a  Tnrkev-cock. 


SPARROW   HAWK    AND   ITS   PREY. 


THE   SWALLOW-TAILED    HAWK. 


This  beautiful  Kite  breeds  and  passes  the  summer  in  the  warmer 
parts  of  the  United  States,  and  is  also  probably  resident  in  all  tropical 
and  temperate  America,  mi- 
grating into  the  southern  as 
well  as  the  northern  hemi- 
sphere. In  the  former,  ac- 
cording to  Viellot,  it  is  found 
in  Peru,  and  as  far  as  Buenos 
Ay  res ;  and  though  it  is  ex- 
tremely rare  to  meet  with 
this  species  as  far  as  the  lati- 
tude of  forty  degrees  in  the 
Atlantic  States,  yet  tempted 
by  the  abundance  of  the  fruit- 
ful valley  of  the  Mississippi, 
individuals  have  been  seen 
along  that  river  as  far  as  the 
Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  in  the 
forty-fourth  degree  of  north 
latitude.  Indeed,  according  to  Fleming,  two  stragglers  have  even  found 
their  devious  way  to  the  strange  climate  of  Great  Britain. 


SWALLOW-TAILED  HAWK. 


64 


THE    PEREGRINE   FALCON. 


THE  FALCONER. 


THE  PEREGRINE  FALCON. 


The  Peregrine  Falcon,  an  inhabitant  of  most  parts  of  Europe,  Asia 
and  South  America,  was,  in  the  palmy  days  of  hawking,  one  of  the  fav 


I 


THE    CHAUNTING   FALCON.  65 


orite  Falcons  chosen  for  that  sport.  Its  strength  and  swiftness  are 
very  great,  enabling  it  to  strike  down  its  prey  with  great  ease;  indeed, 
it  has  been  known  to  disable  five  Partridges  in  succession.  From  its- 
successful  pursuit  of  Ducks,  the  Americans  call  it  the  Duck  Hawk. 

There  is  a  peculiarity  in  the  method  of  attack  which  this  bird  em- 
ploys when  pursuing  small  game.  Instead  of  merely  dashing  at  its 
prey,  and  grasping  it  with  its  claws,  the  Peregrine  Falcon  strikes  its 
victim  with  its  breast,  and  actually  stuns  it  with  the  violence  of  the 
blow  before  seizing  it  with  its  claws.  The  boldness  of  the  Peregrine 
Falcon  is  so  great  that  it  was  generally  employed  to  take  the  formida- 
ble Heron.  After  the  Heron  had  been  roused  from  his  contemplations 
by  some  marsh  or  river,  the  Falcon,  who  had  previously  been  held 
hooded  on  its  master's  hand,  was  loosed  from  its  bonds  and  cast  off, 
A  contest  then  generally  took  place  between  the  Heron  and  the  Falcon,, 
each  striving  to  ascend  above  the  other.  In  this  contest  the  Falcon 
was  always  victorious,  and  after  it  had  attained  a  certain  altitude,  it 
swept,  or  "stooped,"  as  the  phrase  was,  upon  the  Heron.  When  the 
Falcon  had  closed  with  its  prey,  they  both  came  to  the  ground  together, 
and  the  sportman's  business  was  to  reach  the  place  of  conflict  as  soon  as 
possible,  and  assist  the  Falcon  in  vanquishing  its  prey.  Sometimes, 
however,  the  wary  Heron  contrived  to  receive  its  enemy  on  the  point 
of  its  sharp  beak,  and  transfixed  it  by  its  own  impetus. 

Nothing  can  exceed  the  terror  in  which  the  Peregrine  Falcon  is  re- 
garded by  such  of  its  feathered  brethren  as  cannot  compete  with  it  in 
strength  and  activity;  indeed,  no  bird  from  a  Wild  Goose  to  a  Lark 
is  safe  from  its  murderous  attacks.  Its  prey  is  usually  seized  when 
upon  the  wing,  and  is  made  to  rise  from  the  ground  by  a  variety  of  tac- 
tics. A  Partridge  it  terrifies  by  performing  gyrations  above  its  head  till 
it  seeks  safety  in  flight. 

It  changes  the  color  of  its  plumage  several  times  before  it  arrives  at 
full  maturity,  and  in  the  days  of  falconry  was  known  by  different 
names,  such  as  "Hagard"  when  wild,  "Eyass,"  "Red  Falcon"  when 
young,  "Tiercel"  or  "Tassel -gen tie"  when  a  full-grown  male,  a  term 
forcibly  recalling  the  words  of  Juliet,  "Oh  for  a  Falconer's  voice  to 
lure  this  Tassel-gentle  back  again!" 

It  builds  on  ledges  of  rocks,  laying  four  eggs  of  a  reddish  brown 
color.  Its  length  is  from  fifteen  to  eighteen  inches. 


THE   CHAUNTING   FALCON. 

This  lately-discovered  species  is  about  the  size  of  the  Common  Fal- 
con. Its  plumage  is,  in  general,  of  a  pale  lead -color,  with  the  top  of 
the  head  and  the  scapulars  inclining  to  brown.  The  under  parts  of 
the  breast  are  of  a  pearly  gray,  crossed  with  numerous  gray  stripes. 
The  quills  are  black.  The  tail  is  wedge-shaped,  the  outer  feather* 
one-third  shorter  than  the  middle  ones,  and  the  tip  white.  The  bill 
and  claws  are  black,  and  the  cere  and  legs  orange. 

During  the  breeding  season  the  male  of  this  species  is  remarkable 


,06  OF   THE   OWLS   IN   GENERAL. 

for  its  song,  which  it  utters  every  morning  and  evening,  and  like  the 
Nightingale,  not  uncommonly  all  the  night  through.  It  sings  in  a 
floud  tone  for  more  than  a  minute,  and  after  an  interval  begins  anew. 
During  its  song  it  is  so  regardless  of  its  own  safety,  that  any  one 
may  approach  very  near  to  it:  but  at  other  times  it  is  suspicious,  and 
takes  flight  on  the  slightest  alarm.  Should  the  male  be  killed,  the 
female  also  may  be  shot  without  difficulty:  for  her  attachment  tc 
Shim  is  such,  that  she  continues  flying  round  with  the  most  plaintive 
voice;  and,  often  passing  within  a  few  yards  of  the  gunner,  it  is  an 
easy  matter  to  kill  her.  But,  if  the  female  happen  to  be  shot  first, 
the  affection  of  her  mate  does  not  prove  so  romantic;  for,  retiring  to 
the  top  of  some  distant  tree,  he  is  not  easily  approached:  he  does  not, 
however,  cease  to  sing,  but  becomes  so  wary  as,  on  the  least  alarm,  to 
fly  entirely  away  from  that  neighborhood. 

The  female  forms  her  nest  between  the  forks  of  trees,  or  in  bushy 
groves.  She  lays  four  white,  round  eggs.  This  Falcon,  for  its  size, 
is  a  very  destructive  species.  It  preys  on  Partridges,  Hares,  Quails, 
Moles,  Eats,  and  other  small  animals. 

It  is  a  native  of  Caffraria,  in  the  South  of  Africa,  and  of  some  of 
the  adjacent  countries. 


OF  THE  OWLS  IN  GENERAL. 

IN  this  tribe  as  in  the  last,  the  bill  is  hooked,  but  it  is  not  furnished 

with  a  cere.  The  nostrils 
are  oblong,  and  covered 
with  bristly  feathers. 
The  head,  ears  and  eyes, 
are  very  large;  the 
tongue  is  cleft. 

Much  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  Moths  differ  from 
Butterflies,  do  these  birds 
differ  from  the  Falcons; 
the  Owls  being  noctur- 
nal, and  pursuing  their 
prey  only  in  the  night ; 
and  the  Falcons  flying  al- 
together in  the  day-time. 
They  feed  principally  on 
small  birds  and  quadru- 
peds, and  on  nocturnal 

insects:  the  exuviae  and  bones  of  which  (as  in  the  Falcons)  are 
always  discharged  at  the  mouth,  in  the  form  of  small  pellets.  Their 
»yes  are  so  constructed,  that  they  are  able  to  see  much  more  distinctly 
in  the  dusk  of  the  evening  than  in  the  broad  glare  of  sunshine.  All 
animals,  by  the  contraction  and  dilatation  of  the  eye,  have,  in  some 
degree,  the  power  of  shutting  out  or  admitting  light,  as  their  necessi- 
ties require .  but  in  the  Owls  this  property  is  observed  in  singular 


THE  GREAT  HORNED,  OR  EAGLE  OWL. 


67 


perfection;  and,  in  addition  to  this,  there  is  an  irradiation  on  tie  back 
of  the  eye,  which  greatly  aids  their  vision  in 
the  obscure  places  that  they  frequent. 

The  head  is  round,  and  formed  somewhat 
like  that  of  a  Cat.  About  the  eyes,  the 
feathers  are  ranged  as  if  proceeding  from  a 
common  centre  in  the  middle  of  the  eye ,  and 
.they  extend  in  a  circle  to  some  distance.  The 
logs  are  clad  with  down  or  feathers,  even  to 
the  origin  of  the  claws,  which  are  very  sharp 
a  ad  hooked.  Three  of  the  toes  can  occasion- 
ally be  turned  back,  to  suit  either  for  perching 
or  climbing,  as  occasion  may  require. 

In  winter  Owls  retire  into  holes  in  towers  and  old  walls,  and 
pass  that  season  in  sleep.  The  number  of  species  is  about  fifty;  of 
which  twenty  are  furnished  with  long  feathers,  surrounding  the  open- 
ings of  thfc  ears,  and  called,  from  the  appearance  they  give  to  the 
animals,  horns.  In  their  general  modes  of  life,  the  Owls  may  be 
considered  as  the  Cats  of  the  feathered  species. 


THE  GREAT  HORNED,  OR  EAGLE  OWL. 

The  body  of  this  Owl  is  of  a  tawny  red  color,  marked  with  lines  and 
.spots,  elegantly  varied,  of  black,  brown,  ash,  and 
rust  color.  The  wings  are  long,  and  the  tail  ic 
short,  and  marked  with  transverse  dusky  streaks. 
The  legs  are  thick,  of  a  brick-dust  red  color,  and 
(except  in  one  variety)  feathered  to  the  claws, 
which  are  large,  hooked,  and  dusky. 

Although  Owls  are  superstitiously  considered 
by  the  inhabitants  of  most  countries  as  birds  of 
ill-omen ;  yet  the  Athenians  alone,  among  the 
ancients,  seem  to  have  been  free  from  this  popular  prejudice,  and 
to  have  regarded  them  rather  with  veneration  than  abhorrence.  The 
present  species,  which  is  common  in  many  parts  of  Greece,  was  even 
considered  a  favorite  bird  of  Minerva  ;  and  at  Athens  the  inhabitants 
had  a  proverb,  "  to  send  Owls  to  Athens,"  which  was  precisely 
equivalent  to  one  used  by  the  English,  "  to  send  coals  to  Newcastle." 

This  Owl  is  equal  in  size  to  some  of  the  Eagles :  it  inhabits  inaccesible 
rocks  and  desert  places,  in  most  parts  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America ; 
and  is  sometimes,  though  rarely  found  in  this  country.  Its  eyes  are 
jo  constructed,  that  it  is  able  to  see  much  better  during  the  day-time 
than  almost  any  other  of  the  tribe.  It  has  been  frequently  observed 
preying,  on  its  game  of  birds  and  small  quadrupeds,  in  full  day -light. 

M.  Cronstedt  has  recorded  a  pleasing  instance  of  the  attachment  of 
these  birds  to  their  offspring.  This  gentleman  resided  several  years 
at  a  farm  in  Sudermania,  near  a  steep  mountain,  on  the  summit  of 
which  two  Eagle  Owls  had  their  nest.  One  day  in  the  month  of  July, 
%  young  Owl  having  quitted  the  nest  was  seized  by  some  of  his  servants, 
5 


68 


THE  GREAT  HORNED,  OR  EAGLh  OWL. 


This  bird,  after  it  was  caught  was  shut  up  in  a  large  hen-coop ;  and 
the  next  morning  M.  Cronstedt  found  a  young  Partridge  lying  dead 
before  the  door  of  the  coop.  He  immediately  concluded  that  thip 

provision  had  been 
brought  thither  by 
the  parent  birds ; 
which  he  supposed 
had  been  making' 
search  in  the  night 
time  for  their  lost 
y  o  ung-o  ne  and 
had  been  led  to  the 
place  of  its  confine- 
ment by  its  cry. 
This  proved  to  have 
been  the  case,  by 
the  same  mark  of 
attention  being  re- 
peated for  fourteen 
successive  nights. 
The  game  which  the 
old  ones  carried  to  it 
consisted  principally 
of  young  Partridges, 
for  the  most  part 
newly  killed,  but 
sometimes  a  little 
spoiled.  One  day  a 
moor- fowl  was 
brought,  s  o  fresh, 
that  it  was  still  warm 
under  the  wings.  A 
putrid  Lamb  was 
EAGLE  om.  found,  at  another 

time.     M.   Cronstedt 

And  his  servant  watched  at  a  window  several  nights,  that  they  might 
observe,  if  possible,  when  this  supply  was  deposited.  Their  plan  did  not 
succeed:  but  it  appeared  that  the  Owls,  which  are  very  sharp-sighted, 
had  discovered  the  moment  when  the  window  was  not  watched ;  as  food 
was  found  to  have  been  deposited  before  the  coop,  one  night  when  this 
had  been  the  case.  In  the  month  of  August  the  parents  discontinued 
this  attention ;  but  at  that  period  all  birds  of  prey  abandon  their 
offspring  to  their  own  exertions.  From  this  instance,  some  idea  may 
be  formed  of  the  great  quantity  of  game  that  must  be  destroyed  by 
pair  of  these  Owls,  during  the  time  they  are  employed  in  rearing  their 
young. 

It  is  said  that  sometimes,  when  falconers  wish  to  lure  the  Kite  for 
the  purpose  of  training  the  Falcon,  they  disfigure  an  Owl  of  this  species, 
by  fastening  to  it  the  tail  of  a  Fox.  The  animal,  rendered  thus  grotesque 
ift  Jet  loose ;  and  he  sails  slowly  along,  flying,  as  he  usually  does,  verf 


THE    WHITE,   OR    SCREECH   OWL 


69 


low.  The  poor  Kite,  either  curious  to  observe  so  strange  an  ahimal, 
or,  perhaps  inquisitive  to  know  whether  it  may  not  be  eligible  prey, 
flies  after  it.  He  approaches  near,  and  hovers  immediately  over  it ; 
when  the  falconer,  loosing  a  strong-winged  Falcon  against  him,  seizes 
hi  in  at  once,  and  drags  him  into  captivity. 


«' 


STONE   OWL. 


THE   WHITE,    OR   SCREECH   OWL. 

The  plumage  of  these  Owls  is  very  elegant.  A  circle  of  soft  whitt 
feathers  surrounds  each  of  the  eyes.  All  the  upper  parts  of  the  body 
are  of  a  fine  pale  yellow  color,  variegated  with  white  spots ;  and  the 
under  parts  are  entirely  white.  The  legs  are  feathered  down  to  the 
claws. 

Incapable  of  seeing  their  prey  in  the  full  blaze  of  day,  these  Birds 
keep  concealed  during  this  time.  Legions  of  birds  flock  around  them, 
and  single  them  out  as  objects  of  derision  and  contempt.  They  increase 
their  cries  and  turbulence  around  him,  flap  him  with  their  wings, 
and,  like  cowards,  are  ready  to  exhibit  their  courage  when  they  are 
sensible  that  the  danger  is  but  small.  The  unfortunate  wanderer, 
lot  knowing  where  he  is,  whom  to  attack,  or  whither  to  fly,  patiently 
sits  and  suffers  all  their  indignities  with  the  utmost  stupidity.  An 
aversion  which  the  smaller  birds  bear  to  the  Owl,  with  a  temporary 
assurance  of  their  own  security,  urge  them  to  pursue  him,  whilst  they 
encourage  each  other,  by  their  mutual  cries,  to  lend  assistance  in  the 
general  cause.  Bird-catchers,  aware  of  this  singular  propensity, 
having  first  limed  several  of  the  outer  branches  of  a  hedge,  hide  them- 


70  THE    WRITE,  OR    SCREECH    OWL. 

selves  near  it,  and  imitate  the  cry  of  an  Owl ;  when  instantly  all  tht> 
small  birds  who  hear  it  flock  to  the  place,  in  hopes  of  their  accustomed 
game ;  but,  instead  of  meeting  a  stupid  and  dazzled  antagonist,  they 
find  themselves  ensnared  by  an  artful  and  unrelenting  foe. 

This  want  of  sight  is  compensated  by  their  peculiar  quickness  of 
hearing ;  for  the  latter  sense  is  much  more  acute  in  the  Owls  than  in 
most  other  birds. 

The  White  Owl  generally  quits  its  hiding  place  about  the  time  of 
twilight,  and  takes  a  regular  circuit  round  the  fields,  skimming  along 
the  ground  in  search  of  its  food,  which  consists  chiefly  of  Field-mice 
and  small  birds.  Like  the  rest  of  its  tribe,  it  afterwards  emits  the 
bones,  feathers,  hair,  and  other  indigestible  parts,  at  the  mouth,  in  the 
form  of  smadl  pellets.  A  gentleman,  on  digging  up  a  decayed  pollard  - 
ash  that  had  been  frequented  by  Owls  for  many  generations,  found  at 
the  bottom  many  bushels  of  this  kind  of  refuse.  Sometimes  these 
Owls,  when  they  have  satisfied  their  appetite,  will,  like  Bogs,  hide  the 
remainder  of  their  meat.  Mr.  Stackhouse,  of  Pendarvis  in  Cornwall, 
informed  me,  that  in  his  pleasure-grounds  he  often  found  Shrew-mice 
lying  in  the  gravel-walk,  dead,  but  with  no  external  wound.  He  con- 
jectured that  they  had  been  struck  by  the  Owls,  in  mistake  for  Field- 
mice  ;  and  that  these  birds,  afterwards  finding  their  error,  in  having 
destroyed  animals  to  which  they  have  a  natural  antipathy,  had  left 
them  untouched.  This  gentleman  discovered,  by  accident,  another  of 
the  antipathies  of  White  Owls.  A  Pig  having  been  newly  killed,  he 
offered  a  tame  Owl  a  bit  of  the  liver;  but  nothing,  he  says,  could 
exceed  the  contemptuous  air  with  which  the  bird  spurned  it  from 
him. 

The  Mogul  and  Kalmuck  Tartars  pay  almost  divine  honors  to  the 
White  Owl ;  for  they  attribute  to  it  the  preservation  of  Jenghis  Khan, 
the  founder  of  their  empire.  That  prince,  with  a  small  army,  happened 
to  be  surprised  and  put  to  flight  by  his  enemies.  Compelled  to  seek 
concealment  in  a  coppice,  an  Owl  settled  on  the  bush  under  which  he 
was  hidden.  This  circumstance  induced  his  pursuers  not  to  search 
there,  since  they  supposed  it  impossible  that  that  bird  would  perch 
where  any  man  was  concealed.  The  Prince  escaped ;  and  thenceforth 
his  countrymen  held  the  White  Owl  sacred,  and  every  one  wore  a 
plume  of  feathers  of  this  bird  on  his  head.  To  this  day,  the  Kalmucks 
continue  the  custom  on  all  their  great  festivals ;  and  some  of  the  tribes 
have  an  idol,  in  the  form  of  an  Owl,  to  which  they  fasten  the  real  legs 
of  the  Bird. 

The  Screech  Owl  is  well  known  in  all  parts  of  England,  from  the 
circumstance  of  its  frequenting  churches,  old  houses,  and  uninhabited 
buildings;  where  it  continues  during  the  day,  and  whence,  in  the 
evening,  it  ranges  abroad  in  quest  of  food.  It  received  its  name  from 
the  singular  cry  which  it  emits  during  its  flight.  In  its  repose  it  makes 
a  blowing  kind  of  noise,  like  the  snoring  of  a  man.  The  female  forms 
no  nest ;  but  deposits  her  eggs,  generally  five  or  six  in  number,  in  the 
holes  of  decayed  walls,  or  under  the  eaves  of  old  buildings.  While  the 
young-ones  are  in  the  nest,  the  male  and  female  alternately  sally  out 
in  quest  of  food.  Thev  are  seldom  absent  more  than  five  minute^ 


THE    BROWN    OWL. 


71 


when  they  return  with  the  prey  in  their  claws  ;  but,  as  it  is  necessary 
to  shift  it  from  these  into  their  bill,  for  the  purpose  of  feeding  their 
young-ones,  they  always  alight  so  do  that  before  they  enter  the  nest 
As  the  young  Owls  continue  for  a  great  length  of  time  in  the  nest, 
and  are  fed  even  long  after  they  are  able  to  fly,  the  old  birds  have  to 
supply  them  with  many  hundreds  of  Mice ;  on  this  account  they 
are  generally  considered  useful  animals  in  the  destruction  of  vermin 
of  this  description. 


THE    BROWN  OWL. 

The  Brown  Owl  measures  somewhat  more  than  a  foot  in  length ;  and 
is  spotted  with  black  on  the 
head,  wings,  and  back.  Its 
breast  is  of  a  pale  ash-color, 
with  dusky,  jagged,  longitudinal 
streaks ;  and  the  circle  round 
the  eyes  is  ash-colored,  spotted 
with  brown. 

Few  of  the  Owls  are  more 
rapacious  than  these.  They  re- 
side in  woods  during  the  day ; 
but  at  the  approach  of  evening, 
when  many  animals,  su  a  as 
Hares,  Babbits,  and  Partridges, 
come  out  to  feed  they  begin  to 
be  clamorous  and  active;  they 
destroy  such  multitudes  of  small 
animals,  as,  on  calculation, 
would  appear  astonishing.  In 
the  dusk  of  the  evening,  the 
Brown  Owls  approach  the 
farmers'  dwellings;  and  fre- 
quently enter  the  Pigeon-houses, 
where  they  sometimes  commit 
dreadful  ravages.  They  also  kill  great  numbers  of  Mice,  and  skin 
them  with  as  much  dexterity  as  a  cook-maid  does  a  Rabbit.  They  seize 
their  prey  with  great  ferocity,  and,  always  beginning  at  the  head,  tear 
it  in  pieces  with  much  violer.ee.  Were  they  to  appear  abroad  at  any 
time  but  in  the  night,  when  all  the  poultry  are  gone  to  roost,  the  havoc 
they  would  commit  in  the  farm -yard  would  be  prodigious.  They  do 
not  devour  every  part  of  the  animals  they  destroy  ;  the  hinder  parts 
they  generally  leave  untouched. 

On  examining  a  nest  of  these  Owls  that  had  in  it  two  young  ones, 
several  pieces  of  Rabbits,  Leverets,  and  other  small  animals,  were  found. 
The  hen  and  one  of  the  young  ones  were  taken  away ;  the  other  was 
left  to  entice  the  cock,  which  was  absent  when  the  nest  was  discovered. 
On  the  following  morning  there  were  found  in  the  nest  three  young 
Rabbits,  that  had  been  brought  to  this  young-one  by  the  cock  during 


BROWN  OWI* 


72 


THE    GREAT    VIRGINIAN    HORNED    OTTL. 


the  night.  These  birds  are  occasionally  very  bold  and  furious  in 
defence. of  their  young.  A  carpenter  some  years  ago,  passing  through 
a  field  near  Gloucester,  was  suddenly  attacked  by  an  Owl  that  had  a 
nest  in  a  tree  near  the  path.  It  flew  at  his  head ;  and  the  man  struck 
at  it  with.  .a.. tool  that  he  had  in  his  hand,  but  missed  his  blow.  The 
enraged  bird  repeated  the  attack ;  and  fastening  her  talons  in  his  face, 
lacerated  him  in  a  most  shocking  manner. 

When  these  animals  hoot,  they  inflate  their  throats  to  the  size  of  a 
hen's  egg.  They  breed  in  hollow  trees,  or  ruined  buildings,  laying 
commonly  four  whitish  oval  eggs.  It  is  not  difficult  to  catch  them  in 
traps  ;  or  they  may  easily  be  shot  in  the  evenings,  by  any  person  who 
can  allure  them  by  imitating  the  squeaking  of  a  Mouse. 


THE  GREAT  VIRGINIAN  HORNED  OWL. 

This  species;  so  nearly  related  to  the  Great  Eared  Owl  of  Europe,  is 

met  with  occasion- 
ally from  Hudson's 
Bay  to  Florida,  and 
in  Oregon;  it  ex- 
ists even  beyond 
the  tropics,  being 
very  probably  the 
same  bird  describ- 
ed by  Marcgrave 
as  inhabiting  the 
forests  of  Brazil. 
All  climates  are 
alike  to  this  Eagle* 
of  the  night,  the 
'king  of  the  noc- 
turnal tribe  of 
American  birds. 
The  aboriginal 
inhabitants  of  the 
country  dread  his 
boding  howl,  dedi- 
cating his  effigies  to 
their  solemnities, 
and,  as  if  he  were 
their  sacred  bird  of 
Minerva,  forbid  the 
mockery  of  his 
ominous,  dismal, 
and  almost  super- 
natural cries.  His 
favorite  resort,  in 
the  dark  and  im- 
in  chosen  solitudo 


QRBAT    HORXED    OWL. 


penetrable,  awampy   forests,   where   he    dwells 


THE    HAWK    OWL.  73 

secure  from  the  approach  of  every  enemy,  agrees  with  the  melancholy 
and  sinister  traits  of  his  character.  To  the  surrounding  feathered  race 
he  is  the  Pluto  of  the  gloomy  wilderness,  and  would  scarcely  be  known 
out  of  the  dismal  shades  where  he  hides,  but  to  his  victims,  were  he 
as  silent  as  he  is  solitary.  Among  the  choking,  loud,  gutteral  sounds 
which  he  sometimes  utters,  in  the  dead  of  night,  and*  with  a  suddenness 
which  always  alarms,  because  of  his  noiseless  approach,  is  the  'waugh 
h6l  'waugh  h6 1  which,  Wilson  remarks,  was  often  uttered  at  the  instant 
of  sweeping  down  around  his  camp-fire.  Many  kinds  of  Owls  are 
similarly  dazzled  and  attracted  by  fire-lights,  and  occasionally  finding 
no  doubt,  some  offal  or  flesh,  thrown  out  by  those  who  encamp  in  the 
wilderness,  they  come  round  the  nocturnal  blaze  with  other  motives 
than  barely  those  of  curiosity.  The  solitary  travellers  in  these  wilds, 
apparently  scanning  the  sinister  motive  of  his  visits,  pretend  to  interpret 
his  address  into  "'  Who  cooks  for  you  all!"  and  with  a  strong  gutteral 
pronunciation  of  the  final  syllable,  to  all  those  who  have  heard  this 
his  common  cry,  the  resemblance  of  sound  is  well  hit,  and  instantly 
recalls  the  ghastly  serenade  of  his  nocturnal  majesty  in  a  manner  which 
is  not  easily  forgotten.  The  shorter  cry,  which  we  have  mentioned, 
makes  no  inconsiderable  approach  to  that  uttered  by  the  European 
brother  of  our  species,  as  given  by  Buffon,  namely,  'Ae-Aoo,  'hoo~hoo, 
boo-hoo,  &c.  The  Greeks  called  this  transatlantic  species  Byas,  either 
from  its  note,  or  from  the  resemblance  this  bore  to  the  bellowing  of  an 
Ox.  The  Latin  name  Bubo  has  also 'reference  to  the  same  note  of  this 
nocturnal  bird.  According  to  Frisch,  who  kept  one  of  these  birds 
alive,  its  cries  varied  according  to  circumstances ;  when  hungry  it  had 
a  muling  cry  like  Puhn.  I  have  remarked  the  young,  probably,  of 
our  species  utter  the  same  low,  quailing  cry,  while  yet  daylight,  as  it 
sat  on  the  low  branch  of  a  tree ;  the  sound  of  both  is,  at  times,  also  not 
unlike  that  made  by  the  Hawks  or  diurnal  birds  of  prey.  Indeed  in 
gloomy  weather,  I  have  seen  our  species  on  the  alert,  flying  about 
many  hours  before  dark,  and  uttering  his  call  of  Jko  ko,  ko  ko  ho. 
Their  usual  prey  is  young  Rabbits,  Squirrels,  Eats,  Mice,  Quails,  and 
small  birds  of  various  kinds,  and  when  these  resources  fail  or  diminish 
they  occasionally  prowl  pretty  boldly  around  the  farm-yard  in  quest 
of  chickens,  which  they  seize  on  the  roost.  Indeed  the  European 
Horned  Owl  frequently  contends  with  the  Buzzard  for  its  prey,  and 
generally  comes  off  conqueror ;  blind  and  infuriate  with  hunger,  one 
ef  these  has  been  known  to  dart  even  upon  a  man,  as  if  for  conflict, 
and  was  killed  in  the  encounter. 


THE  HAWK  OWL. 

This  remarkable  species,  forming  a  connecting  link  with  the  preceding 
genus  of  the  Hawks,  is  nearly  confined  to  the  Arctic  wilds  of  both 
continents,  being  frequent  in  Siberia  and  the  fur  countries  from  Hudson's 
Bay  to  the  Pacific.  A  few  stragglers,  now  and  then,  at  distant  intervals 
and  in  the  depths  of  winter,  penetrate  on  the  one  side  into  the  northern 
parts  of  the  United  States ;  and,  on  the  other,  they  occasionally  appear 


74 


THE  GOAT  SUCKER. 


in  Germany,  and  more  rarely  in  France. 


At  Hudson's  Bay  they  are 
observed  by  day  flying 
high,  and  preying  on 
the  White  Grouse  and 
other  birds,  sometimes 
even  attending  the 
hunter  like  a  Falcon, 
and  boldly  taking  up 
the  wounded  game  as  it 
flutters  on  the  ground. 
They  are  also  said  to 
feed  on  Mice  and  in- 
sects, and  (according  to 
Meyer)  they  nest  upon- 
trees,  laying  two  white 
eggs.  They  are  said  to 
be  constant  attendants 
on  the  Ptarmigans  in 
their  spring  migrations 
towards  the  north  ;  and 
are  observed  to  hovei 
round  the  camp  fires 
of  the  natives,  in  quest 
probably  of  any  offa) 
or  rejected  game. 


THE  GOAT  SUCKER. 

The  Accipitres,  it  will  be  remembered,  possess  strong  hooked  beaks 
and  sharp  curved  claws.  The  foot  and  head  of  the  Passeres  are  entirely 
different ; — the  beak  being  without  the  formidable  curved  tip,  and  th« 
claws  being  of  a  quiet  and  peaceful  character. 

The  first  tribe  of  this  order,  the  Fissirostres,  are  so  called  from  th« 
peculiar  formation  of  their  mouths,  whicls 
appear  as  if  they  had  been  slit  up  from  thei? 
ordinary  termination  to  beyond  the  eyes,  much 
resembling  the  mouth  of  a  Frog.  In  the 
insect-eating  Fissirostres  this  formation  is 
admirably  adapted  for  capturing  their  active 
prey,  and  in  the  Kingfishers  it  is  equally 
adapted  for  securing  the  slippery  inhabitants 
of  the  waters. 

The  CaprimulgidaB  are  nocturnal  in  their  habits,  chasing  their  insect 
\>rey  by  night  or  at  the  dusk,  when  the  Chaffers  and  the  large  Moths 
are  on  the  wing.  In  order  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  insect  when 
taken,  the  mouth  is  Cringed  with  long  stiff  bristles,  called  "  vibrissae." 


GOAT   SUCKER. 


THE   GOAT   SUCKER.  75 

The  name  of  Goat  Sucker  is  derived  from  a  silly  notion  that  they  suck 
Goats,  a  piece  of  credulity  only  equalled  by  the  Hedgehog's  supposed 
crime  of  sucking  Cows,  and  the  accusation  against  the  Cat  of  sucking 
the  breath  of  children.  The  genus  Caprimulgus  is  furnished  with  9 
kind  of  comb  on  the  middle  claw  of  its  foot,  but  for  what  purpose  is- 
not  clearly  ascertained.  The  power  of  wing  in  these  birds  is  very 
great,  and  hardly  surpassed  by  that  of  the  Swallow,  both  birds  obtaining 
their  food  in  a  similar  manner. 

The  Night-Jar,  or  Goat  Sucker,  sometimes  called  the  Fern  Owl,  is 
spread  over  Europe,  and  is  tolera- 
bly common  in  England.  It  may 
be  seen  at  the  approach  of  even- 
ing, silently  wheeling  round  the 
trees,  capturing  the  nocturnal 
Moths  and  Beetles ;  then  occa- 
sionally settling  and  uttering  its 
jarring  cry.  When  flying  the 
bird  sometimes  makes  its  wings 
meet  over  its  back,  and  brings 
them  together  with  a  smart  snap. 
It  arrives  in  England  about  the 
beginning  of  May,  and  leaves  in 
December.  It  makes  no  nest,  but 
lays  two  mottled  eggs  on  the  bare  ground.  Its  length  is  ten  inches- 
The  Whip-poor-will  and  the  Chuck-will's-widow  both  belong  to  this 
family. 

These  two  birds  derive  their  singular  names  from  their  cry  which  ia 
said  closely  to  imitate  the  words  that  have  been  assigned  to  them  as 
their  names.  This  bird^  known  as  "  Chuck-will's-widow,"  is 
partially  migratory,  and  dwells  in  the  more  southern  parts  of  America 
during v  the  winter.  Audubon  relates  that  this  bird  applies  ito 
enormous  mouth  to  rather  an  unexpected  use,  viz.,  that  of  removing 
its  eggs  if  it  finds  that  they  have  been  disturbed.  Of  this  curious 
circumstance  he  was  an  eye-witness.  He  saw  the  bird  that  first 
discovered  that  an  intruder  had  touched  the  eggs  wait  for  its  mate  and 
then  saw  each  of  them  take  an  egg  in  its  mouth  and  carry  it  off. 


THE  PAPUAN  PODARGUS. 

This  species  of  the  Night-Jar  family  is  exclusively  confined  to 
Australia  and  the  islands  of  the  Indian  Archipelago.  It  appears  to  be 
closely  allied  to  a  very  rare  species  from  Java,  described  by  Dr. 
Horsfield,  under  the  name  of  Podargus  Javanensis.  Even  more  con- 
fused by  the  light  than  is  the  common  Goat  Sucker,  the  members  of 
the  genus  Podargus  are  completely  nocturnal ;  they  haunt  the  solitudes 
of  the  woods,  and  the  sombre,  but  intermingled  tints  of  their  plumage 
screen  them  from  observation.  -They  issue  forth  only  at  night,  but 
on  the  approach  of  day  retire  to  their  seclusion. 


76  THE   PAPUAN    PODARGUS. 

In  connexion  with  our  observations  on  the  genus  Podargm,  we 
eannot  omit  a  short  notice  of  a  most  extraordinary  bird,  in  many 
respects  closely  related  to  this  genus,  but  which  truly  forms  the  type 
of  a  distinct  generic  group,  under  the  title  of  Steatornis.  We  allude  to 
the  Guacharo  (Stealornis  caripensis,  Humb.,)  of  which  a  memoir  is 
published  in  the  'Nouvelles  Annales  du  Museum,'  vol.  III.,  part  4,  by 
M.  1'Herminier.  The  Guacharo  is  a  native  of  the  range  of  deep  and 
gloomy  caverns  of  Caripe,  in  the  province  of  Cumana,  where  it  was 
first  discovered  by  MM.  Humboldt  and  Bonpland  in  the  year  1799 
These  caverns  are  formed  in  the  sides  of  tremendous  calcareous  rocks, 
divided  by  a  stupendous  chasm,  over  which  are  thrown  the  famous 
bridges  of  Icononzo.  "  Numberless  flights  of  nocturnal  birds,"  says 
Humboldt  "  haunt  the  crevice,  and  which  we  were  led  at  first  to 
mistake  for  Bats  of  a  gigantic  size.  Thousands  of  them  are  seen 
flying  over  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  Indians  assured  us  that  they 
are  of  the  size  of  a  fowl  with  a  curved  beak  and  an  Owl's  eye.  They 
•are  called  Cacas,  and  the  uniform  color  of  their  plumage,  which  is  bluish 
grey,  leads  me  to  think  that  they  belong  to  the  genus  of  Caprimulgus, 
the  species  of  which  are  so  various  in  the'  Cordilleras.  It  is  impossible 
to  catch  them  on  account  of  the  depth  of  the  valley,  and  they  can  only 
be  examined  by  throwing  down  rockets  to  illuminate  the  sides  of  the 
•rock." 

M.  Depens,  in  his  '  History  of  South  America,'  alludes  to  the  same 
bird,  of  which  he  says,  millions  inhabit  the  cavern  Called  Guacharo, 
•which  is  immense,  and  that  their  fat  yields  the  "  oil  of  Guacharo " 

"Daylight  penetrates  far  into  the  grotto,  but  when  the  light  begins 
to  fail,  the  hoarse  voices  of  the  inhabitants  become  audible,  and  it  would 
be  difficult  to  form  an  idea  of  the  horrible  noise  occasioned  by  thousands 
•of  these  birds  in  the  dark  parts  of  the  cavern.  Their  shrill  and  pierc- 
ing cries  strike  upon  the  vaults  in  the  rocks,  and  are  repeated  by  the 
subterranean  echoes.  The  Indians  showed  us  the  nests  of  the  Guacheros 
by  fixing  a  torch  to  a  long  pole;  these  nests  were  fifty  or  sixty  feet  above 
our  heads,  in  holesof  the  shape  of  funnels,  with  which  the  roof  of  the  grotto 
is  pierced  like  a  sieve.  The  noise  increased  as  we  advanced,  the  birds 
becoming  scared  by  the  torches  we  carried;  but  when  the  din  somewhat 
abated,  immediately  around  us  we  heard  at  a  distance  the  plaintive  cries 
of  others  at  roost  in  the  ramifications  of  the  cavern.  It  seemed  as  if 
different  groups  answered  each  other  alternately.  The  Indians  enter 
the  Cueva  del  Guachero  once  a  year,  near  midsummer.  They  go  armed 
with  poles,  with  which  they  destroy  the  greater  part  of  the  nests.  At 
that  season  several  thousand  birds  are  killed,  and  the  old  ones,  as  if  to 
•defend  their  brood,  hover  over  the  heads  of  the  Indians,  uttering  terri- 
ble cries.  The  young,  which  fall  to  the  ground,  are  opened  on  the  spot. 
Their  peritoneum  is  found  extremely  loaded  with  fat,  and  a  layer  of 
fat  reaches  from  the  abdomen  to  the  vent,  forming  a  kind  of  fatty 
cushion  between  the  legs.  At  the  period  commonly  called  at  Caripe 
the  'oil  harvest,'  the  Indians  build  huts  with  palm  leaves  near  the 
entrance  and  even  in  the  porch  of  the  cavern,  where,  with  a  fire  of 
brushwood,  they  melt  in  pots  of  clay  the  fat  of  the  young  birds  just 
killed.  This  fat  is  known  by  the  name  of  butter  or  oil  (mantece  or 


THE    PAPUAN    PODARGUS. 


77 


GUACHAROS,  OB  OIL  BIRD. 

aceite)  of  the  Guachero.  It  is  half  liquid,  transparent,  without  smell, 
.and  so  pure  that  it  may  be  kept  above  a  year  without  becoming  rancid. 
At  the  convent  of  Caripe  no  other  oil  is  used  in  the  kitchen  i  of  the 
monks  but  that  of  the  cavern,  and  we  never  observed  that  it  gave  the 
aliments  a  disagreeable  taste  or  smell." 

Funck,  who  also  visited  the  cavern  above  described,  states  that  the 
Ouacheros  leave  their  nests  after  darkness  has  completely  closed  in,  and 
that  their  harsh,  raven-like  cry  may  then  be  heard  as  they  fly  about  in 
quest  of  food.  Fruit  forms  their  usual  nourishment,  and  this  they  will 
swallow  even  if  as  large  as  a  pigeon's  egg;  but  the  seeds  and  kernels 
they  reject  as  indigestible.  The  nest  is  constructed  of  clay,  and  'the 
brood  consists  of  from  two  to  four  eggs.  Grosz  also  gives  an  account 
very  similar  to  that  of  Humboldt  respecting  another  stronghold  of  the 
oil  birds  called  the  Ravine  of  the  Iconongo  that  he  visited  in  New  Gra- 
nada. This  extensive  nesting-place  is  about  half  a  mile  long,  and  from 
thirty  to  forty  feet  broad,  and  had  to  be  entered  by  means  of  a  rope  let 
•down  from  above.  Grosz  fortunately  succeeded  in  obtaining  many 
Guacheros,  both  dead  and  alive,  and  made  valuable  observations  rela- 
tive to  their  demeanor  and  habits. 


PIES. 


IN  all  birds  of  this  order  the  bill  is  sharp-edged  and  convex  on  ito 
upper  surface.  The  legs  are  short,  tolerably  strong,  and,  in  some  species, 
formed  for  perching ;  (that  is,  with  three  toes  forward  and  one  backward ;} 
in  other?  formed  for  climbing,  with  two  toes  forward  and  two  backward  -r 
and  in  others  for  walking,  that  is,  without  any  back  toe. 


O*'  THE  SHRIKES  IN  GENERAL. 

IN  these  birds  the  bill  is  strong,  straight  at  the  base  and  hooted  or 
bent  towards  the  end ;  and  the  upper  mandible  is  notched  near  the  tip* 
The  base  is  not  furnished  with  a  cere.  The  tongue  is  jagged  at  the 
end.  The  outer  toe  is  connected  to  the  middle  one  as  far  as  the  first 
joint. 

Although  the  Shrikes  have  been  arranged  by  Linnaeus  amongst  the 
rapacious  birds,  yet,  with  Mr.  Pennant  and  Dr.  Latham,  I  am  inclined 
to  place  them  amongst  the  Pits.  If  we  retain  the  Shrike  in  the  former 
order,  on  account  of  its  chiefly  feeding  upon  animal  food,  it  would  be 
difficult  to  dispose  properly  of  the  Kingfisher,  the  Woodpecker,  and 
some  other  genera  which  do  the  same.  If  we  dwell  on  the  curvature 
of  the  bill,  how  will  this  agree  with  the  Parrots,  whose  natural  food  i» 
fruit  ?  And  as  to  the  Shrikes  living  on  other  birds,  whenever  oppor- 
tunity offers,  several  of  the  Crows  and  other  tribes  do  the  like.  Their 
habits  resemble,  in  a  great  measure,  those  of  the  Pies ;  as  Linnaeus  has 
himself  acknowledged :  and  although  he  has  arranged  them  among 
the  rapacious  birds,  he  seems  to  consider  them  as  holding  a  kind  of 
middle  place  between  the  Pies  and  (on  account  of  their  smallness)  the 
Passerine  order.  They  seem,  however,  to  stand,  with  greater  propriety 
at  the  head  of  the  Pies  ;  forming  there  a  connecting  link  between  them 
and  the  rapacious  birds. 

They  are  inhabitants  of  every  quarter  of  the  world :  and  are  found 
in  all  climates,  except  within  the  Arctic  Circle. 


THE  GREAT  OR  CINEREOUS  SHRIKE. 

The  Great  Shrike  or  Butcher-bird,  is  a  native  both  of  Europe  and 
America ;  and  is,  in  general,  about  ten  inches  in  length.  Its  bill  is- 
black,  about  an  inch  long,  and  hooked  at  the  end.  The  upper 
parts  of  the  plumage  are  of  a  pale  ash-color ;  and  the  wings  and  tail 
are  black,  varied  with  white.  The  throat,  breast,  and  belly,  are  of  a 
dirty  white  ;  and  the  legs  are  black.  The  female  differs  very  little  itt 
appearance  from  the  male 
78 


THE   GREAT    OR    CINEKEOUS    SHUIKE.  79 

The  muscles  which  move  the  bill  of  this  Shrike  are  very  thick  and 
tstrong ;  an  apparatus  that  is  peculiarly  necessary  to  a  species  whose 
mode  of  killing  and  devouring  its  prey  is  very  singular.  The  Shrike 
seizes  the  smaller  birds  by  the  throat,  and  thus  strangles  them  ;  and  it 
is  probably  for  this  reason  that  the  Germans  call  him  by  a  name 
signifying  "  The  suffocating  Angel"  When  his  prey  is  dead,  he  fixes 
it  on  some  thorn  ;  and,  thus  spitted,  tears  it  to  pieces  with  his  bill. 
Even  when  confined  in  a  cage,  he  will  often  treat  his  food  in  much  the 
same  manner,  by  sticking  it  against  the  wires  before  he  devours  it. 

In  spring  and  summer,  he  imitates  the  voices  of  other  birds,  by 
way  of  decoying  them  within  his  reach,  that  he  may  devour  them; 
•excepting  this,  his  natural  note  is  the  same  throughout  all  seasons. 
When  kept  in  a  cage,  even  where  he  seems  perfectly  contented,  he 
is  always  mute. 

Mr.  Bell  who  travelled  from  Moscow,  through  Siberia  to  Pekin, 
.says,  thsit  in  Russia  these  birds  are  often  kept  tame  in  houses.  He 
had  one  of  them  given  to  him,  and  taught  it  to  perch  on  a  sharpened 
-stick,  iixed  in  the  wall  of  his  apartment.  Whenever  a  small  bird 
was  let  loose  in  the  room,  the  Shrike  would  immediately  fly  from  hia 
perch,  and  seize  it  by  the  throat  in  such  a  manner  as  almost  in  a 
moment  to  suffocate  it.  He  would  then  carry  it  to  his  perch,  and 
spit  it  on  the  sharpened  end,  drawing  it  on,  carefully  and  forcibly, 
with  his  bill  and  claws.  If  several  birds  were  given  him,  he  would 
use  them  all,  one  after  another,  in  a  similar  manner.  These  were  sc 
fixed,  that  they  hung  by  the  neck  till  he  had  leisure  to  devour  them 
'This  uncommon  practice  seems  necessary  to  these  birds,  as  an  equiv- 
.alent  for  the  want  of  strength  in  their  claws  to  tear  their  food  tc 
pieces.  From  this  they  derive  their  appellation  of  Butcher -birds. 

In  America,  the  Great  Shrike  has  been  observed  to  adopt  an  odo 
stratagem,  for  the  apparent  purpose  of  decoying  its  prey.  A  gentle 
man  there,  accidentally  observing  that  several  Grasshoppers  were 
stuck  upon  the  sharp  thorny  branches  of  the  trees,  inquired  the 
•cause  of  the  phenomenon;  and  was  informed  that  they  were  thus 
spitted  by  this  bird.  On  further  inquiry  he  was  led  to  suppose,  that 
linis  was  an  instinctive  stratagem  adopted  by  the  Great  Shrike,  in 
order  to  decoy  the  smaller  birds,  which  feed  on  insects,  into  a  situa- 
tion from  which  he  could  dart  on  and  seize  them.  He  is  called  in 
America  Nine-killer,  from  the  supposition  that  he  sticks  up  nine 
•Grasshoppers  in  succession.  That  the  insects  are  placed  there  as  food 
•to  tempt  other  birds,  is  said  to  appear  from  their  being  frequently 
left  untouched  for  a  considerable  length  of  time. 

The  female  forms  her  nest  of  heath  and  moss,  and  lines  it  with 
wool  and  gossamer.  She  lays  six  eggs;  which  are  about  as  big  as 
those  of  a  Thrush,  and  of  a  dull  olive-green  color,  spotted  at  the  end 
with  black.  These  birds  are  supposed  to  live  to  the  age  of  five  01 
•six  years;  and  they  are  much  valued  by  husbandmen,  on  the  suppo 
sition  that  they  destroy  Rats,  Mice,  and  other  vermin.  They  inhabit 
only  mountainous  wilds,  among  furze  and  unfrequented  thickets,  and 
%re  rarely  found  in  the  cultivated  parts  of  our  island. 


80 


THE    TYRANT    S11K1KE. 


THE   TYRANT   SHRIKE. 

The  courage  of  this  bird  is  very  remarkable.     It  is  stated  that  he 
will  pursue,  and  is  able  to  put  to  flight,  all  kinds  of  birds  that  ap- 


proach  his  station,  from  the  smallest  to  the  largest,  none  escaping 
his  fury:  "nor  did  I  ever  see  (says  Catesby  in  his  account  of  South 
Carolina)  any  that  dared  to  oppose  him  while  flying;  for  he  does  not 
offer  to  attack  them  when  sitting.  I  have  seen  one  of  them  fix  on 
the  back  of  an  Eagle,  and  persecute  him  so,  that  he  has  turned  on  his 
back,  and  into  various  postures  in  the  air,  in  order  to  get  rid  of  him; 
and  at  last  was  forced  to  alight  on  the  top  of  the  next  tree,  from 
which  he  dared  not  move  till  the  little  Tyrant  was  tired,  or  thought 
fit  to  leave  him.  This  is  the  constant  practice  of  the  cock  while  the 
hen  is  brooding.  He  sits  on  the  top  of  a  bush,  or  small  tree,  not  far 
from  her  nest,  near  which,  if  any  small  birds  approach,  he  drives 
them  away;  but  the  great  ones,  as  Crows,  Hawks,  and  Eagles,  be  will 
not  suffer  to  come  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  him  without  attack 
ing  them.  These  birds  have  only  a  chattering  note,  which  they  utter 
with  great  vehemence  all  the  time  they  are  fighting.  When  their 
young-ones  are  flown,  they  are  as  peaceable  as  other  birds. 

From  authority  so  deservedly  great  as  that  of  Catesby,  we  cannot 
but  feel  it  unpleasant  to  dissent;  but  by  a  letter  received  by  Dr. 
Latham,  from  Mr.  Abbot  of  Georgia,  observations  seems  to  have 
been  made  somewhat  different  from  the  above: — " A  Tyrant  Shrike 
(he  says)  having  built  its  nest  on  the  outside  of  a  large  lofty  pine,  I 
was  one  day  considering  how  I  could  procure  the  eggs;  when,  view- 
ing the  nest,  I  perceived  a  Crow  alight  on  the  branch,  break  and  suck 


THE    BRAZILIAN    GKr.E.V    MACAW. 


81 


the  eggs,  and  displace  the  nest,  appearing  all  the  while  unconcerned 
notwithstanding  both  the  cock  and  hen  continued  flying  at  and  strik- 
ing him  with  their  bills  all  the  while;  and  as  soon  as  the  Crow  had 
completed  the  robbery,  he  departed." 

The  eggs  of  this  bird  are  flesh-colored,  and  prettily  marked  at  the 
arger  end  with  dark  pink  and  a  few  black  spots. 


OF  THE  PAKROT  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

THIS  most  extensive  tribe  is  remarkably  distinct  from  all  others. 
The  beak  is  hooked  all  the  way  from  the  base  to  the  tip,  and  the 
upper  mandible,  or  division,  is  moveable.  The  nostrils  are  round; 
and  placed  in  the  base  of  the  bill,  which  in  some  species  is  furnished 
with  a  cere.  The  tongue  is  broad  and  blunt ;  the  head  is  large,  and 
the  crown  flat.  The  legs  are  snort  with  two  toes  placed,  before  and 
two  behind,  for  the  purpose  ul  climbing. 

The  Parrots  are  natives  chiefly  of  tropical  regions,  where  they  HveT 
for  the  most  part,  on  fruit  and  seeds ;  though  when  kept  in  a  cage, 
they  will  occasionally  eat  both  flesh  and  fish.  They  are  gregariousT 
and  excessively  noisy  and  clamorous;  yet,  though  they  associate  in 
vast  multitudes,  they  live  chiefly  in  pairs  of  one  male  and  a  female. 
The  place  they  hold  among  the  birds  seems  to  be  exactly  that  which 
the  Apes  and  Monkeys  occupy  among  the  quadrupeds;  for,  like  these, 
they  are  very  numerous,  imitative,  and  mischievous.  They  breed  in 
the  hollows  of  trees,  like  the  Owls ;  and  it  is  said  that  the  male  anc* 
female  sit  alternately  upon  the  eggs.  In  Europe,  they  have  some 
times  been  known  to  lay  eggs;  but  they  seldom  sit  upon  them  ir 
these  cool  climates. 

The  toes  of  Parrots  are  sufficiently  flexible  to  answer  every  purpos* 
of  hands,  for  holding  their  food,  or  carrying  it  to  their  mouths.  Ir 
climbing  they  always  use  their  bill  to  assist  the  feet.  They  are,  in 
general,  long-lived. 

In  a  domestic  state  they  are  exceedingly  docile,  and  very  imitative 
of  sounds;  most  of  the  species  being  able  to  counterfeit  even  the 
human  voice,  and  to  articulate  words  with  great  distinctness;  but 
their  natural  voice  is  a  loud,  harsh  and  unpleasant  scream.  Alexan- 
der the  Great  is  supposed  to  have*  been  the  first  who  introduced 
Parrots  into  Europe. 


THE   BRAZILIAN   GREEN   MACAW. 

The  length  of  this  bird  is  about  seventeen  inches.  Its  bill  is  black  , 
and,  on  the  cheeks,  there  is  a  bare  white  patch,  marked  with  black 
lines,  in  which  the  eyes  are  placed.  The  general  color  of  the  plu- 
mage is  green.  The  forehead  is  pf  a  chesnut  purple ;  and  the  crown 
is  blue,  which  color  blends  itself  with  the  green  as  it  passes  backward. 
On  the  lower  part  of  the  thighs  the  feathers  are  red ;  and  the  winga 
are,  in  different  parts,  crimson,  blue  and  black.  The  tail  is  green 


.82  THE  GUINEA  PARROT. 

Above,  near  the  ends  blue,  and  beneath  of  a  dull  red.  The  legs  are 
brown,  and  the  claws  black. 

This  Macaw,  a  native  of  Jamaica,  Guiana,  and  the  Brazils,  is  as 
^beautiful  as  it  is  rare ;  and  it  is  still  more  interesting,  from  its  social 
^and  gentle  disposition.  It  soon  becomes  familiar  with  persons  whom 
it  sees  frequently,  and  it  seems  delighted  in 
receiving  and  returning  their  caresses.  But  it 
has  an  aversion  to  strangers,  and  particularly 
4o  children;  for  it  flies  at,  and  sometimes 
attacks  them  with  great  fury. 

The  Green  Macaw  is  exceedingly  jealous;  it 
becomes  enraged  at  seeing  a  young  child 
•sharing  its  mistress's  caresses  and  favors;  it 
tries  to  dart  at  the  infant ;  but,  as  its  flight  is 
short  and  laborious,  it  can  only  exhibit  its 
-displeasure  by  gestures  and  restless  move- 
ments, and  continues  to  be  tormented  by  these  QBrlN  MACAW 
fits  till  she  leaves  the  child,  and  takes  the  bird 

on  her  finger.  It  is  then  overjoyed,  murmurs  satisfaction,  and  some- 
times makes  a  noise  resembling  the  laugh  of  an  old  person.  Nor 
can  it  bear  the  company  of  other  Parrots ;  and  if  one  be  lodged  in 
the  same  room  it  seems  to  enjoy  no  comfort. 

It  eats  almost  every  article  of  human  food.  It  is  particularly  fond 
of  bread,  beef,  fried  fish,  pastry,  and  sugar.  It  cracks  nuts  with  its 
bill,  and  picks  the  kernel  out  dexterously  with  its  claws.  It  does 
not  chew  the  soft  fruits;  but  it  sucks  them  by  pressing  its  tongue 
against  the  upper  part  of  the  beak:  and  the  harder  sorts  of  food,  such 
AS  bread  and  pastry,  it  bruises  or  chews,  by  pressing  the  tip  of  the 
lower  mandible  upon  the  most  hollow  part  of  the  upper. 

Like  all  the  other  Parrots,  the  Green  Macaw  uses  its  claws  with 
great  dexterity ;  it  bends  forward  the  hinder  toe  to  lay  hold  of  the 
fruits  and  other  things  which  are  given  it,  to  carry  them  to  its  bill, 
The  Parrots  employ  their  toes,  nearly  in  the  manner  as  Squirrels  and 
Monkeys  do  their  fore  paws;  they  also  cling  and  hang  by  them.  There 
is  another  habit  common  to  the  Parrots :  they  never  climb  or  creep 
without  fastening  by  the  bill;  with  this  they  begin,  and  they  use 
their  feet  only  as  secondary  instruments  of  motion. 


THE  GUINEA,    OR  LITTLE   RED-HEADED   PARROT. 

The  general  color  of  the  Guinea  Parrot  is  green ;  its  bill,  chin,  and 
forehead  are  red ;  and  the  rump  is  blue. 

In  size  but  little  larger  than  the  Lark,  and  in  brilliancy  of  plumage 
exceeded  by  few  of  its  tribe,  this  pleasing  bird  claims  our  greatest 
admiration.  In  a  native  state  it  is  found  amidst  the  forests  of  Guinea, 
.and  also  in  Ethiopia,  Java,  and  the  East  Indies,  where  immense  flocks 
of  them  are  seen.  In  these  countries  they  often  commit  as  much  de- 
vastation amongst  he  corn  and  fruit,  as  Sparrows  do  in  Europe. 

The  trading  vessels  from  these  countries  seldom  fail  to  bring  with 


THE   GUINEA   PARROT. 


THE   GUINEA   PARROT.  33 

them  considerable  numbers  of  Guinea  Parrots;  but  they  are  so  tender, 
that  most  of  them  die  in  their  passage  to  our  colder  climate.  It  has 
also  been  observed,  that  the  firing  of  a  vessel's  great  guns  is  fatal  to 
many  of  them,  which  drop  down  dead  from 
fear.  Although  very  imitative  of  the  manners 
of  other  birds,  it  is  a  difficult  thing  to  teach 
them  to  articulate  words.  Some  have  attained 
this  art,  but  the  instances  are  rare. 

They  are  exceedingly  kind  and  affectionate 
towards  each  other ;  and  it  is  observed  that  the 
male  generally  perches  on  the  right  side  of  the 
female.    She  seldom  attempts  to  eat  before  him. 
A    male   and   female   of   this   species   were 
lodged  together  in  a  large  square  cage.     The 
vessel  which  held  their  food  was  placed  at  the 
bottom.     The  male  usually  sat  on  the  same  perch  with  the  female, 
and  close  beside  her.     Whenever  one  descended  for  food,  the  other 
always  followed;  and  when  their  hunger  was  satisfied,  they  returned 
together  to  the  highest  perch  of  the  cage.     They  passed  four  years 
together  in  this  state  of  confinement ;  and,  from  their  mutual  attentions 
-and  satisfaction,  it  was  evident  that  a  strong  affection  for  each  other 
had  been  excited.     At  the  end  of  this  period  the  female  fell  into  a 
tftate  of  languor,  which   had  every  symptom  of  old  age;   her  legs 
swelled,  and  knots  appeared  upon  them,  as  if  the  disease  had  been  of 
the  nature  of  gout.     It  was  no  longer  possible  for  her  to  descend  and 
iake  her  food  as  formerly;  but  the  male  assiduously  brought  it  to 
her,  carrying  it  in  his  bill,  and  delivering  it  into  hers.    He  continued 
to  feed    her  in  this   manner,  with   the  utmost   vigilance,  for  four 
months.     The  infirmities  of  his  mate,  however,  increased  every  day; 
and  at  length  she  became  no  longer  able  to  sit  upon  the  perch  :  she 
remained  now  crouched  at  the  bottom,  and  from  time  to  time  made  a 
few  useless  efforts  to  regain  the  lower  perch ;  while  the  male,  who 
remained  close  by  her,  seconded  these  feeble  attempts  with  all  his 
power.     Sometimes  he  seized  with  his  bill  the  upper  part  of  .her 
wing,  to  try  to  draw  her  up  to  him ;  sometimes  he  took  hold  of  her  bill, 
and  attempted  to  raise  her  up,  repeating  his  efforts  for  that  purpose 
several  times.     His  countenance,  his  gestures,  his  continual  solicitude ; 
every  thing,  in  short,  indicated,  in  this  affectionate  bird,  an  ardent 
desire  to  aid  the  weakness  of  his  companion,  and  to  alleviate  her 
sufferings.     But  the  scene  became  still  more  interesting  when  the 
female  was  at  the  point  of  expiring.     Her  unfortunate  partner  went 
round  and  round  her  without  ceasing ;  he  redoubled  his  assiduities 
and  his  tender  cares ;  he  attempted  to  open  her  bill,  in  order  to  give 
her  nourishment;  his  emotion  every  instant  increased;  he  went  to 
her,  and  returned  with  the  most  agitated  air,  and  with  the  utmost  in- 
quietude :  at  intervals  he  uttered  the  most  plaintive  cries ;  at  othei 
times,  with  his  eyes  fixed  upon  her,  he  preserved  a  sorrowful  silence. 
His  faithful  companion  at  length  expired;  he  languished  from  *hat 
time,  and  survived  her  only  a  few  months. 
6 


84 


THE   COMMON    ASH-COLORED   PARROT. 


THE  COMMON  ASH-COLORED   PARROT. 


THE   COMMON   ASH-COLORED   PARROT. 

This  Parrot  is  somewhat  larger  than  a  Pigeon  ;  and,  including  tha 
tail  measures  about  twenty  inches  in 
length.  The  bill  is  black ;  the  cere,  and 
the  skin  round  the  eyes,  are  mealy  and 
white.  The  plumage  is  chiefly  ash- 
colored:  the  rump  and  lower  part  of 
the  belly  are  hoary,  with  ash- colored 
edges :  the  feathers  on  the  head,  neck, 
and  under  parts,  are  hoary  on  their 
edges.  The  tail  is  of  a  bright  red 
color,  having  the  shafts  of  the  feathers 
blackish.  The  legs  are  ash -colored,  and 
the  claws  blackish. 

It  is   a   native   of   Guinea,   and   of 
several  of  the  inland  parts  of  Africa. 

This  well-known  species  is  that 
which  is  now  most  commonly  brought 
into  Europe.  It  is  superior  to  most 
others,  both  in  the  facility,  and  the 
eagerness  with  which  it  imitates  the 
human  voice;  it  listens  with  attention,  and  strives  to  repeat;  it 
dwells  constantly  on  some  syllables  which  it  has  heard,  and  seeks  tt« 
surpass  every  voice  by  the  loudness  of  its  own.  "We  are  often 
surprised  by  its  repeating  words  or  sounds  which  were  never  taughn 
it,  and  which  it  could  scarcely  be  supposed  to  have  noticed.  It 
seems  to  prescribe  to  itself  tasks,  and  tries  every  day  to  retain  its 
lesson.  This  engages  its  attention  even  in  sleep ;  and,  according  to 
Marcgrave,  it  prattles  in  its  dreams.  Its  memory,  if  early  cultivated, 
becomes  sometimes  astonishing.  Ehodiginus  mentions  a  Parrot 
which  could  recite  correctly  the  whole  of  the  Apostles'  Creed. 

A  Parrot  which  Colonel  O'Kelly  bought  for  a  hundred  guineas  at 
Bristol,  not  only  repeated  a  great  number  of  sentences,  but  answered 
many  questions :  it  was  also  able  to  whistle  many  tunes.  It  beat  time 
with  all  the  appearance  of  science ;  and  so  accurate  was  its  judgment 
that,  if  by  chance  it  mistook  a  note,  it  would  revert  to  the  bar  where 
the  mistake  was  made,  correct  itself,  and  still  beating  regular  time, 
go  through  the  whole  with  wonderful  exactness.  Its  death  was  thua 
anounced  in  the  General  Evening  Post  for  the  ninth  of  October, 
1802 :  "  A  few  days  ago  died,  in  Half- moon-street,  Piccadilly,  th& 
celebrated  Parrot  of  Colonel  O'Kelly.  This  singular  bird  sang 
number  of  songs  in  perfect  time  and  tune.  She  could  express  tut 
wants  articulately,  and  give  her  orders  in  a  manner  approaching 
nearly  to  rationality.  Her  age  was  not  known ;  it  was,  however, 
more  than  thirty  years,  for  previously  to  that  period,  Mr.  O'Kelly 
bought  her  at  Bristol  for  a  hundred  guineas.  The  Colonel  was  re- 
peatedly offered  five  hundred  guineas  a  year  for  the  bird,  by  persona 


OUR   POLLY. 


85 


86  THE    COMMON    ASH-COLORED    PARROT. 

who  wished  to  make  a  public  exhibition  of  her ;  but  this,  out  of 
tenderness  to  the  favorite,  he  constantly  refused.  The  bird  was  dis 
sected  by  Dr.  Kennedy  and  Mr.  Brookes ;  and  the  muscles  of  the 
Larynx,  which  regulate  the  voice,  were  found,  from  the  effect  oi 
practice,  to  be  uncommonly  strong." 

The  sister  of  M.  de  Buffon  had  a  Parrot  of  this  species  which  would 
frequently  talk  to  himself,  and  seemed  to  fancy  that  some  one 
addressed  him.  He  often  asked  for  his  paw,  and  answered  by 
holding  it  up.  Though  he  liked  to  hear  the  voice  of  children, 
he  appeared  to  have  an  antipathy  to  i.nem ;  he  pursued  them,  and 
bit  them  till  he  drew  blood.  He  had  also  his  objects  of  attachment; 
and  though  his  choice  was  not  very  nice  it  was  constant.  He  was 
excessively  fond  of  the  cook -maid  ;  followed  her  every  where,  sought 
for,  and  seldom  missed  finding  her.  If  she  had  been  some  time  ou* 
of  his  sight,  the  bird  climbed  with  his  bill  and  claws  to  her  shouldera 
and  lavished  on  her  his  caresses.  His  fondness  had  all  the  marks  of 
close  and  warm  friendship.  The  girl  happened  to  have  a  sore  finger, 
which  was  tedious  in  healing,  and  so  painful  as  to  make  her  scream. 
Whilst  she  uttered  her  moans,  the  Parrot  never  left  her  chamber. 
The  first  thing  he  did  every  day  was  to  pay  her  a  visit ;  and  this 
tender  condolence  lasted  the  whole  time  of  the  cure,  when  he  again 
returned  to  his  former  calm  and  settled  attachment.  Yet  this  strong 
predilection  for  the  girl  seems  to  have  been  more  directed  to  her 
office  in  the  kitchen,  than  to  her  person ;  for,  when  another  cook- 
maid  succeeded  her,  the  Parrot  showed  the  same  degree  of  fondness 
to  the  new-comer,  the  very  first  day. 

Parrots  not  only  imitate  discourse,  but  also  mimic  gestures  and 
actions.  Scaliger  saw  one  that  performed  the  dance  of  the  Savoyards 
at  the  same  time  that  it  repeated  their  song.  The  one  last  mentioned, 
was  fond  of  hearing  a  person  sing ;  and  when  he  saw  him  dance,  he 
also  tried  to  caper,  but  with  the  worst  grace  imaginable,  holding  in 
his  toes,  and  tumbling  back  in  a  most  clumsy  manner. 

The  society  which  the  Parrot  forms  with  man  is,  from  its  use  of 
language,  much  more  intimate  and  pleasing,  than  what  the  monkey 
can  claim  from  its  antic  imitation  of  our  gestures  and  actions.  It 
highly  diverts  and  amuses  us;  and  in  solitude  it  is  company:  the 
bird  takes  part  in  conversation,  it  laughs,  it  breathes  tender  expres- 
sions, or  mimics  grave  discourse ;  and  its  words,  uttered  indiscrimi 
nately,  please  by  their  incongruity,  and  sometimes  excite  surprise  by 
their  aptness.  Willughby  tells  us  of  a  Parrot,  which,  when  a  person 
said  to  it,  "  Laugh,  Poll,  laugh,"  laughed  accordingly,  and  the  instant 
after  screamed  out,  "  What  a  fool  to  make  me  laugh !"  Another, 
which  had  grown  old  with  its  master,  shared  with  him  the  infirmities 
of  age.  Being  accustomed  to  hear  scarcely  any  thing  but  the  words, 
"  I  am  sick;"  when  a  person  asked  it,  "How  d'ye  do,  Poll?  how 
d'ye  do?"  "  I  am  sick,"  it  replied  in  a  doleful  tone,  stretching  itself 
along,  "  I  am  sick." 

Dr.  Goldsmith  says,  that  a  Parrot  belonging  to  King  Henry  the 
Seventh,  having  been  kept  in  a  room  next  the  Thames,  in  his  palace 
at  Westminster  had  learned  to  repeat  many  sentences  from  the  boat 


POLLY  AND   HER  ENEMIES. 


87 


THE   YELLOW-WINGED    PARROT. 


passengers.     One  day,  sporting  ou  its  perch,  it  unluckily 
the  water.      The  bird  had  no  sooner  discovered  its  situation, 


men  and 
fell  into 

than  it  called  aloud,  "  A  boat  !  twenty  pounds  for  a  boat  !"  A 
waterman,  happening  to  be  near  the  place  where  the  Parrot  was 
floating,  immediately  took  it  up,  and  restored  it  to  the  king;  demand- 
ing, as  the  bird  was  a  favorite,  that  he  should  be  paid  the  reward  that 
it  had  called  out.  This  was  refused  ;  but  it  was  agreed  that,  as  the 
Parrot  had  offered  a  reward,  the  man  should  again  refer  to  its  deter- 
mination for  the  sum  he  was  to  receive  —  u  Give  the  knave  a  groat," 
the  bird  screamed  aloud,  the  instant  the  reference  was  made. 

Mr.  Locke,  in  his  Essay  on  the  Human  Understanding,  has  related 
an  anecdote  concerning  a  Parrot,  of  which,  however  incredible  it 
may  appear,  he  seems  to  have  had  so  much  evidence,  as  at  least  to  have 
believed  it  himself.  The  story  is  this  :  During  the  government  of 
Prince  Maurice  in  Brazil,  he  had  heard  of  an  old  Parrot  that  was  much 
celebrated  for  answering,  like  a  rational  creature,  many  of  the  com- 
mon questions  that  were  put  to  it  So  much  had  been  said  respecting 
this  bird,  that  the  curiosity  of  the  Prince  was  roused,  and  he  directed 
it  to  be  sent  for.  When  he  was  introduced  into  the  room  where  the 
Prince  was  sitting,  in  company  with  several  Dutchmen,  it  immediately 
exclaimed  in  the  Brazilian  language,  "  What  a  company  of  white 
men  are  here  I"  They  asked  it,  "  Who  is  that  man  c"  pointing  to 
the  Prince  :  the  Parrot  answered,  "  Some  general  or  other.  "  When 
the  attendants  carried  it  up  to  him,  he  asked  it,  through  the  medium 
of  an  interpreter,  (for  he  was  ignorant  of  its  language,)  "  From  wha^ 
uiace  do  you  come?"  The  Parrot  answed,  "  From  Marignan."  The 
rrince  asked,  "  To  whom  do  you  belong?"  It  answered,  "  To  a 
Portuguese."  He  asked  again,  "  What  do  you  do  there  ?n  It 
answered,  "  I  look  after  chickens  1"  The  Prince,  laughing,  exclaimed, 
*'  You  look  after  chickens  I"  The  Parrot  in  answer  said,  "  Yes,  I; 
and  I  know  well  enough  how  to  do  it  ;"  clucking  at  the  same  time,  in 
imitation  of  the  noise  made  by  the  hen  to  call  together  her  young 
cues. 

The  females  of  this  species  lay  their  eggs  in  the  hollows  of  trees  ; 
*nd  there  is  no  way  of  getting  at  them,  except  by  cutting  down  and 
cleaving  the  trees. 

THE    YBLLOW-WINGED    PARROT. 

The  length  of  the  Yellow-winged  Parrot  is  about  tnirteen  inchea. 
Hie  bul  is  whitish,  and  the  cere  hoary.  The  general  color  of  the 
body  is  green  ;  and  the  feathers  on  the  hind  part  of  the  neck  and  on 
ihe  back,  have  black  margins.  The  forehead  is  of  a  whitish- 
ash  color  ;  and  the  top  of  the  head,  cheeks,  throat,  and  forepart 
of  the  neck  are  yellow  :  the  hind  head  is  yellow-green.  The  thighs 
and  the  ridges  of  the  wings  are  yellow,  the  remainder  of  the  wings 
are,  m  different  parts,  red,  yellow,  and  green,  with  the  greater  quills 
black.  The  four  middle  tail-feathers  are  green,  and  yellowish  near 
the  end  ;  the  others  are  partly  red  and  partly  green.  The  legs  are 
b  iary,  arid  the  claws  ash-colored.  It  is  a  native  of  South  America. 


THE  YELLOW- WINGED  PARROT.  89 

We  know  nothing  respecting  the  habits  of  this  bird  in  a  state  of 
nature,  but  Father  Bougot,  who  had  one  of  them  for  some  time  in  hia 
possession,  communicated  to  M.  de  Buffon,  the  following  account  of 
its  manners  and  disposition  in  a  tame  state : 

;t  It  is  (he  says)  extremely  susceptible  of  attachment  to  its  master ; 
it  is  fond  of  him,  but  requires  frequent  caresses,  and  seems  disconso 
laie  if  neglected,  and  vindictive  if  provoked.  It  has  fits  of  obstinacy  ; 
it  bites  during  its  ill-humor,  and  immediately  laughs,  exulting  in  its 
mischief.  Correction  and  rigorous  treatment  only  harden  it ;  gentle 
asage  alone  succeeds  in  mollifying  its  temper. 

"  The  inclination  to  gnaw  whatever  it  can  reach,  is  very  destructive ; 
it  cuts  the  cloth  of  the  furniture,  splits  the  wood  of  the  chairs,  and  tears 
in  pieces  paper,  pens,  &c.  And  if  it  be  removed  from  the  spot  where 
it  stands,  its  proneness  to  contradiction  will  instantly  hurry  it  back. 
But  this  mischievous  disposition  is  counterbalanced  by  agreeable 
qualities,  for  it  remembers  readily  whatever  it  is  taught  to  say.  Before 
articulating  it  claps  its  wings  and  plays  on  its  roost ;  in  a  cage  it  be- 
comes dejected,  and  continues  silent ;  and  it  never  prattles  well  except 
when  it  enjoys  its  liberty. 

"  In  its  cheerful  days  it  is  affectionate,  receives  and  returns  caresses, 
and  listens  and  obeys ;  though  a  peevish  fit  often  interrupts  the  harmony. 
It  seems  affected  by  the  change  of  weather,  and  becomes  silent ;  the 
way  to  reanimate  itis  to  sing  beside  it,  and  it  then  strives,  by  its  noisy 
screams,  to  surpass  the  voice  which  excites  it.  It  is  fond  of  children ; 
in  which  respect  it  differs  from  most  other  Parrots.  It  contracts  a 
predilection  for  some  of  them,  and  suffers  them  to  handle  and  carry  it ; 
it  caresses  them,  and  will  bite  ferociously  any  person  who  then  attempts 
to  touch  them.  If  its  favorite  children  leave  it,  it  is  unhappy,  follows, 
and  calls  loudly  after  them.  During  the  time  of  moulting  it  is  much 
reduced,  and  seems  to  endure  great  pain  ;  and  this  state  lasts  for  nearly 
three  months." 

The  power  of  imitating  exactly  articulate  discourse,  implies  in  the 
Parrot  a  very  peculiar  and  perfect  structure  of  organ ;  and  the  accuracy 
of  its  memory  (though  independent  of  understanding)  manifests  a 
closeness  of  attention,  and  a  strength  of  mechanical  recollection,  that 
no  other  bird  possesses  in  so  high  a  degree.  Accordingly,  all  natural- 
ists have  remarked  the  singular  form  of  its  bill,  of  its  tongue,  and  its 
head.  Its  bill,  round  on  the  outside  and  hollow  within,  has,  in  some 
degree,  the  capacity  of  a  mouth,  and  allows  the  tongue  to  plav  freely; 
and  the  sound,  striking  against  the  circular  border  of  tie  lower 
mandible,  is  there  modified  as  on  a  row  of  teeth,  while  the  concavity 
of  the  upper  mandible  reflects  it  like  a  palate  ;  hence  the  animal  does 
not  utter  a  whistling  sound,  but  a  full  articulation.  The  tongue  which 
modulates  all  sounds,  is  proportionably  larger  than  in  man ;  and  would 
be  more  voluble,  were  it  not  harder  than  flesh ;  and  invested  with  a 
strong  horny  membrane. 

From  the  peculiar  structure  of  the  upper  mandible  of  its  bill,  the 
Parrot  has  a  power,  which  no  other  birds  have,  of  chewing  its  food. 
The  Parrot  seizes  its  food  sideways,  and  gnaws  it  deliberately.  The 
lower  mandible  has  little  motion,  but  that  from  right  to  left  is 


90 


THE   MACAWS. 


perceptible  ;  and  this  is  often  performed  when  the  bird  is  not  eating^ 
whence  some  persons  have  supposed  it  to  ruminate.  In  such  cases, 
however,  the  bird  may  be  only  whetting  the  edge  of  this  mandible,  witb 
which  it  cuts  and  bites  its  aliment. 


THE    MACAWS. 

Many  naturalists  imagine,  and  with  some  reason,  that  the  Psittacidao 
ought  to  be  formed  into 
an  order  by  them- 
selves. In  this  family 
the  construction  of  the 
bill  is  very  remarkable. 
As  the  curved  tip  of 
the  bill  would  prevent 
the  bird  from  opening 
it  wide  enough  to  ad- 
mit its  food,  the  upper 
mandible  is  united  to 
the  skull  by  a  kind  of 
hinge  joint,  of  equal 
strength  and  flexibility. 
When  climbing  among 
the  branches  of  trees, 
or  about  their  cages, 
the  Parrots  invariably 
make  great  use  of  their 
hooked  bills  in  assist- 
ing themselves  both  in 
ascending,  and  descend- 
ing. The  crossbills  have  been  observed  to  climb  much  in  the  same  way. 

The  Parrots  are  said  to  be  very  long  lived,  some  have  certainly  been 
known  to  live  upwards  of  eighty  years  in  captivity,  and  may  be 
imagined  to  exceed  that  period  in  a  wild  state. 

The  Macaws  are  natives  of  South  America.  The  blue  and  yellow 
Macaw  inhabits  Brazil,  Guiana  and  Surinam,  living  principally  on  the 
banks  of  rivers.  Of  one  of  the  Macaws,  the  Carolina  Parrot,  or  Parra- 
keet  as  Wilson  calls  it,  the  following  anecdote  is  told  by  that  enterprising 
naturalist : — 

"  Having  shot  down  a  number,  some  of  which  were  only  wounded, 
the  whole  flock  swept  repeatedly  round  their  prostrate  companions,  and 
again  settled  on  a  low  tree,  within  twenty  yards  of  the  spot  where  1 
stood.  At  each  successive  discharge,  though  showers  of  them  fell,  yet 
the  affection  of  the  survivors  seemed  rather  to  increase ;  for,  after  a  few 
circuits  round  the  place,  they  again  .alighted  near  me,  looking  down  on 
their  slaughtered  companions  with  such  manifest  symptoms  of  sympathy 
and  concern,  as  entirely  disarmed  me." 

Wilson  also  makes  mention  of  a  singular  idea,  that  the  brains  and 
intestines  of  the  Carolina  Parrot  (which  lives  on  cockle-burs)  are 
poisonous  to  Cats.  Why  the  brains  should  be  so  is  rather  incomprehen- 


BLUK   AND   YELLOW   MACAW. 


THE    RINGED   PARRAKEET. 


91 


although  we  can  easily  understand  that  the  Parrot  might  take 

some  substance  into  its 
stomach  injurious  to 
Cats.  Wilson  tried  the 
experiment  after  being 
repeatedly  disappointed! 
of  a  patient,  but  cam© 
to  no  conclusion  on  the 
subject. 

"  Having  shut  up  a 
Cat  and  her  two  Kit* 
tens,  the  latter  only  a 
few  days  old,  in  a  room 
with  the  head,  neck, 
and  the  whole  intestines 
of  the  Parrakeet,  I  found 
on  the  next  morning 
the  whole  eaten  except 
a  small  part  of  the  bilL 
The  Cat  exhibited  no 
symptom  of  sickness, 
and  at  this  moment, 
three  days  after  the 
experiment  had  been 
made,  she  and  her 
Kittens  are  in  their 
usual  health.  Still 
however  the  effect 
might  have  been  dif 

fcrent,  had  the  daily  food  of  the  bird  been  cockle-burs  instead  of 

Indian  corn." 


CAROLINA    PARROT. 


THE   RINGED   PARRAKEET. 

Is  frequently  seen  domesticated  in  this  country,  where  its  pleasing 
manners  and  gentle  disposition  render  it  a  great  favorite.  It  seems  to 
be  exceedingly  fond  of  ripe  walnuts,  divided  in  halves ;  and,  while  it 
IB  picking  out  the  kernel,  continually  utters  a  short  clucking  sound 
indicative  of  pleasure. 

It  soon  learns  to  repeat  words  and  short  sentences,  and  to  speak  with 
tolerable  distinctness.  Sometimes  when  excited,  it  utters  most  ear- 
piercing  screams,  and  always  appears  to  practice  any  new  accomplish 
ment  when  it  thinks  that  no  one  is  within  hearing.  A  Kinged 
Parrakeet  belonging  to  one  of  my  scholars  was  accustomed  to  live  in  the 
•chool-room.  At  first  it  used  to  become  angry  that  it  was  not  noticed 
during  school-hours,  and  to  utter  a  succession  of  screams ;  but  after 
being  shut  up  in  a  dark  closet  several  times,  it  learned  to  behave  very 
demurely, — giving  an  example  worthy  of  imitation  to  several  of  its 
human  play-fellows.  I  am  sorry  to  say,  that  the  bird  escaped  from  iti 
nage,  and  was  shot  by  an  ignorant  farmer  iii  the  neighborhood. 


THE  COCKATOOS. 


THE  COCKATOOS 

Are  remarkable  for  the  powdery  surface  of  their  wings,  and  the  crest  on 
the  head,  which  can  be  raised  or  depressed  at  pleasure.  The  Sulphur- 
crested  Cockatoo  is  an  inhabitant  of  New  Guinea.  Its  color  is  white 
and  the  crest  is  of  a  sulphur  yellow.  Its  white  plumage  glancing 
among  the  dense  dark  foliage  of  its  native  forests,  imparts  a  wonderful 
beauty  to  the  scene ;  and,  as  Sir  Thomas  Mitchell  remarks,  "  amidst  the 
umbrageoqs  foliage,  forming  dense  masses  of  shade,  the  white  Cockatoo 
sported  like  spirits  of  light."  This  Cockatoo  is  easily  tamed,  and  is  of 
a  very  affectionate  disposition.  When  in  captivity  it  has  been  known 
to  live  to  the  age  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  years.  Its  nest  is  built  in 
hollow  trees  and  the  crevices  of  rocks.  The  eggs  are,  white.  The 
length  of  the  bird  is  about  eighteen  inches. 


The  Rosella  is  a  truly  splendid  bird.  Its  feathers  are  of  varied  colors 
—scarlet,  black,  blue,  white,  green,  etc.  These  beautiful  parrots  are 
natives  of  New  South  Wales,  where  they  are  very  common,  but  only  in 
special  districts,  often  bounded  by  a  brook  over  which  they  will  not 
pass.  Open  countries  are  their  favorite  resorts,  or  grassy  hills  and 
plains  planted  with  high  trees.  Travellers  are  unanimous  in  saying 
that  the  impression  made  by  the  profusion  of  these  magnificent  birds 
surpasses  description. 


THE  TOUCANS  IN  GENERAL. 


93 


OF  THE  TOUCANS  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  beaks  of  all  the  Toucans  are  enormously  large  and  convex ;  they 
are  bent  at  the  end,  hollow,  very  light,  and  jagged  at  the  edges.  The 
nostrils  are  small,  round,  and  situated  close  to  the  head.  The  tongue  is 
long,  narrow,  and  feathered  at  the  edges.  The  feet  are  adapted  for 
climbing,  and  have  the  toes  placed  two  forward  and  two  backward. 


These  birds  are  all  natives  of  the  hotter  parts  of  South  America, 
where  they  feed  on  fruit.  They  are  very  noisy,  and  are  generally  seen 
in  small  flocks  of  eight  or  ten  in  number  :  they  are  continually  moving 
from  place  to  place  in  quest  of  food,  going  northward  or  southward  as 
the  fruits  ripen.  If  brought  up  young  they  are  easily  tamed,  and  in 
this  state  are  very  familiar.  They  breed  in  the  hollows  of  trees,  fre- 
quently in  places  deserted  by  Woodpeckers :  and  the  female  lays  two 
eggs.  It  is  probable  that  they  have  more  than  one  brood  in  the  year. 


94  THE   RED-BELLIED   TOUCAN. 


THE   RED-BELLIED  TOUCAN. 

This  Toucan,  which  is  a  native  of  Guiana  and  Brazil,  is  about 

twenty  inches  in  length.  The  bill  is  six. 
inches  long,  and  nearly  two  inches  thick 
at  the  base;  it  is  of  a  yellowish  green 
color,  reddish  at  the  tip.  The  nostril* 
are  at  the  base  of  the  bill ;  but  are  not, 
as  in  some  of  the  species,  covered  with 
feathers.  The  principal  upper  parts  of 
the  body,  and  the  throat  and  neck,  are 
of  a  glossy  black,  with  a  tinge  of  green: 
the  lower  part  of  the  back,  the  rump, 
TOUCAN.  upper  part  of  the  tail,  and  small  feathers 

of  the  wings,  are  the  same,  with  a  cast  of 
ash  color.  The  breast  is  orange- color.  The*  belly,  sides,  thighs,  and 
the  short  feathers  of  the  tail,  are  bright  red :  the  remainder  of  the 
tail  is  :>f  a  greenish  black,  tipped  with  red.  The  legs  and  claws  are 
black. 

In  several  parts  of  South  America  these  birds  have  the  name  of 
Preacher  Toucan ;  from  the  circumstance  of  one  of  the  flock  being 
always  poi-ched  at  the  top  of  a  tree,  above  its  companions,  while  they 
are  asleep.  This  makes  a  continual  noise,  resembling  ill-articulated 
sounds,  moving  its  head  during  the  whole  time  to  the  right  and  left, 
in  order,  it  is  said,  to  deter  birds  of  prey  from  seizing  «n  them. 

They  feed  chiefly  on  fruits.  The  females  build  their  nests  in  the 
holes  of  trees ;  and  no  bird  better  secures  its  offspring  from  external 
injury  than  this.  It  has  not  only  birds,  men,  and  serpents  to  guard 
against ;  but  tc  numerous  train  of  Monkeys,  which  are  more  prying, 
mischievous,  and  hungry,  than  all  the  rest.  The  Toucan,  however, 
sits  in  its  hole,  defending  the  entrance  with  its  great  beak ;  and  if  the 
Monkey  ventuies  to  offer  a  visit  of  curiosity,  the  Toucan  gives  him 
such  a  welcome,  that  he  is  soon  glad  to  escape.* 

The  Red-bellied  Toucans  are  easily  tamed,  and,  in  that  state,  they 
will  eat  of  almost  any  thing  that  is  offered  to  them.  Pozzo,  who  bred 
up  one  of  these  birds,  and  had  it  perfectly  domesticated,  informs  ua 
that  it  leaped  up  and  down,  wagged  its  tail,  and  cried  with  a  voice 
resembling  that  of  a  Magpie.  It  fed  upon  the  same  things  as  Parrots: 
but  was  most  greedy  of  grapes.  These  being  plucked  off  one  by  one, 
and  thrown  to  it,  it  would  with  great  dexterity  catch  in  the  air  before 
they  fell  to  the  ground.  Its  bill,  he  adds,  was  hollow,  and  on  that 

*  There  appears  to  be  some  doubt  as  to  the  real  strength  of  the  beak  of  the  Tou- 
can. This  assertion  of  M.  de  Buffon  seems  to  contradict  what  he  has  before  said  of 
the  weakness  of  this  enormous  and  apparently  disproportionate  member.  Willughby, 
p.  129,  says,  that,  notwithstanding  its  extreme  lightness,  "  it  is  of  a  bony  substance; 
and  therefore  is  not  to  be  wondered  that,  dexterously  used,  it  should  by  many  strokes 
pierce  a  tree ;  the  bird  having,  perchance,  the  instinct  to  choose  a  rotten  one."  It  icr 
irom  this  writer  that  Buffon  has  derived  the  latter  part  of  the  above  account. 


TOUCANS. 


95 


96 


THE   TOCO  TOUCAN. 


4ccouiit  very  light,  so  that  the  bird  had  but  little  strength  in  this 
apparently  formidable  weapon ;  nor  could  it  peck  or  strike  smartly 
with  it.  But  its  tongue  seemed  to  assist  the  efforts  of  this  unwieldy 
machine;  it  was  long,  thin,  and  flat,  not  much  unlike  one  of  the 
feathers  on  the  neck  of  a  Dunghill-cock ;  this  the  bird  moved  up  and 
down,  and  often  extended  five  or  six  inches  from  the  bill.  It  was  of 
a  flesh-color,  and  remarkably  fringed  on  each  side  with  small  fila- 
ments. 

It  is  probable  that  this  long  tongue  has  greater  strength  than  the 
thin  hollow  beak  that  contains  it ;  and  that  the  beak  is  «only  a  kind 
of  sheath  for  this  peculiar  instrument,  used  by  the  Toucan  in  making 
its  nest,  and  in  obtaining  its  provision. 

These  birds  are  stated  to  be  in  great  request  in  South  America; 
both  on  account  of  the  delicacy  of  their  flesh,  and  the  beauty  of  their 
plumage,  particularly  the  feathers  of  the  breast.  The  skin  of  this 
part  the  Indians  pluck  oft',  and,  when  dry,  glue  to  their  cheeks:  they 
consider  these  feathers  an  irresistible  addition  to  their  beauty. 


THE  TOCO   TOUCAN. 

The  Toco  Toucan  is  distinguished  by  the  enormous  size  of  it* 
serrated    bill.     It  is 
found  in  Brazil. 

The  Curl-crested 
Aracari,  found  also 
in  Brazil,  is  distin- 
guished by  a  crest  of 
curled  feathers. 

The  Toucan  family 
is  very  numerous, 
including  a  great 
many  species,  diffused 
over  all  the  tropical 
regions  of  the  earth. 
They  all  agree,  how- 
ever, in  the  character- 
istic of  a  bill,  very 
large,  as  compared 
with  the  other  parts 
of  the  bird.  This 
characteristic  is  so 
atrongly  marked,  that 
of  all  the  different  species  of  Toucans,  not  one  would  ever  be  mia* 
taken  for  a  bird  of  any  other  class. 

The  Toco  Toucan  is  principally  of  a  glossy  black.  The  large  high 
beak  is  bright  orange-red,  shading  to  deep  red  at  the  culrnen ;  very 
pretty  little  powder  flasks  are  made  of  these  finely  colored  bills.  The 
length  of  this  bird  is  twenty-two  inches.  All  the  species  of  these  birds 
live  in  pairs,  only  exceptionally  congregating  into  small  parties. 


TOCO  TOOCAN. 


THE   MALABAR   HORNBILL, 


OF  THE  HORNBILLS  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  n<x,t/.ls  of  these  birds  are  small,  round,  and  situated  behind 
the  base  of  the  bill.  The  tongue  is  small  and  short.  The  legs  arc 
•caly:  the  toes  placed  three  forward,  and  one  backward;  the  middle 
toe  is  connected  to  the  outermost,  as  far  as  the  third  joint,  and  to  the 
innermost,  as  far  as  the  first. 

The  animals  of  this,  as  well  as  the  last  tribe,  have  all  singularly 
disproportioned  bills.  Those  of  the  Hornbills  are  bent,  jagged  at  the 
edges,  and  have  frequently  on  the  upper  mandible,  a  protuberance, 
somewhat  resembling  another  bill. 

These  bird*  seem  to  hold  the  same  place  on  the  old  continent,  as 
the  Toucans  do  on  the  new ;  and  probably  they  subsist  on  similar 
food. 


THE   MALABAR  HORNBILL. 

This  bird  is  about  two  feet  six  inches  long,  and  in  bulk  somewhat 
bigger  than  a  Crow.  The  bill  is  more  than  five  inches  in  length, 
having  on  its  upper  part  a  protuberance  rounded  at  the  top,  reaching 
two-thirds  of  its  length,  and  tending  to  a  sharp  edge  in  front :  this 
extends  beyond  the  eyes,  and  in  the  fore  part  is  black.  The  base 
and  edges  of  both  mandibles,  as  well  as  a  small  portion  of  the  upper 
part  are  also  black :  the  general  color  of  both  of  these  is  a  dingy  yel- 
low. The  plumage  is  in  general  black,  some  of  the  feathers  inclining, 
on  their  margins,  to  green ;  but  the  lower  part  of  the  breast,  the  belly, 
the  thighs,  and  the  tip  of  the  wings  and  tail,  (except  one  outer  feather 
in  each  of  the  former,  and  the  two  middle  feathers  in  the  latter,  which 
are  colored  like  the  rest  of  the  body,)  are  black.  The  legs  are  black, 
and  very  short. 

In  a  wild  state  these  extraordinary  birds  inhabit  the  great  woods  of 
Malabar  and  the  East  Indies,  where  they  usually  roost  on  the  highest 
and  most  inaccessible  trees,  and  in  preference,  upon  the  dead  and 
withered  branches.  The  females  form  their  nests  in  the  worm-eaten 
holes  of  the  trunk,  and  generally  lay  four  or  five  dingy  white  eggs.  The 
young-ones,  when  first  produced,  are  completely  naked,  and,  for  some 
time,  the  protuberance  on  their  bill  is  not  more  than  two  or  three 
lines  in  depth.  This,  by  degrees,  increases,  but  does  not  attain  its 
full  growth  until  the  birds  are  two  years  old :  their  plumage  then 
assumes  its  proper  colors. 

The  protuberance  upon  the  bill  is  frequently  observed  to  be  injured 
by  the  use  to  which  the  birds  apply  it,  in  beating  the  branches  of 
trees  for  the  purpose  of  detaching  the  bark,  in  order  to  discover  in- 
sects and  even  small  Lizards,  which  take  refuge  there,  and  on  which 
they  feed. 

In  the  island  of  Ceylon  these  birds  are  in  great  request  by  the 
inhabitants  ^ho  carefully  rear  thenr  >n  a,  domestic  state  from  their 


98        TilE  AFRICAN    HORNBILL,  AND  RHIX^KUOS  HORNBILL. 

propensity  to  chase  and  devour  Mice  and  other  vermin,  of  whic\ 
they  clear  the  houses  with  as  much  address  as  Cats. 

One  of  these  birds,  which  was  brought  into  England  some  years 
ago,  exhibited  several  interesting  peculiarities  in  its  manners.  It 
would  leap  forward,  or  sideways,  with  both  legs  at  once,  like  a  Mag- 
pie or  Jay,  and  never  walked.  Its  general  air  was  rather  stupid  and 
dull ;  though  when  agitated,  it  would  sometimes  put  on  a  fierce  look. 
It  wo  i Id  eat  lettuce,  and  some  other  esculent  vegetables,  after  bruising 
them  with  its  bill;  it  would  also  devour  Eats,  Mice,  small  birds  or  raw 
flesh.  It  had  different  tones  of  voice  on  different  occasions ;  sometimes 
A  hoarse  sound  in  the  throat,  like  ouck,  ouck  ;  at  other  times  a  hoarse 
and  weak  noise,  not  unlike  the  clucking  of  a  Turkey-hen.  It  used  to 
display  its  wings,  and  enjoy  itself  in  the  sunshine ;  but  it  shivered  in 
the  cold.  At  the  approach  of  winter  it  died,  unable  to  bear  the  se- 
verity of  our  climate,  so  different  to  its  nature  from  that  which  it  had 
left.  " 


THE  AFRICAN   HORNBILL ,  AND   RHINOCEROS  HORNBILL. 

The  length  of  the  African  Hornbill  is  nearly  four  feet.  Its  bill  ia 
about  ten  inches  long,  and  the  horny  .protuberance  upon  it  appears 
.as  if  cut,  with  an  aperture  somewhat  resembling  the  form  of  a  club  on 
cards,  or  an  iron  lance. 
This  excrescence  is  of 
the  same  substance  as 
the  bill,  but  thinner, 
and  yields  to  pressure. 
The  aperture  is  about 
an  inch  long,  and  half 
an  inch  wide,  having 
on  the  inside  a  black 
membrane,  of  use  in 
preventing  the  intro- 
duction of  any  foreign 
body  into  the  horn, 
which  communicates 
interiorly  with  the 
head.  The  general 
color  of  the  plumage 
is  a  sooty  black ;  some 
of  the  large  feathers  of 
the  wings  are,  however 
perfectly  white. 

The  former  of  these 
•pecies  are  found  in 
various  parts  of  Africa,  but  are  not  common  near  the  sea-coasts.  The 
females  build  in  large,  thick  trees,  and  form  a  covered  nest,  like  that 
-.of  a  Maggie,  but  three  or  four  times  us  large.  This  is  pla^eo  tlrmlj 


RHINOCEROS    HOKNUILL. 


QO 
THE   CPOTV   TRIBE   IN   GENERAL. 

on  the  trunk,  and  the  entrance  to  it  is  always  on  the  east  side. 
They  sometimes  have  as  many  as  eighteen  young  ones. 

These  birds,  in  general,  only  run  along  the  ground ;  but,  being  of 
a  distrustful  disposition,  they  are  soon  raised  by  alarm,  when  they 
usually  fly  to  a  great  distance,  before  they  again  alight.  Their  food 
consists  principally  of  insects  and  Lizzards.  The  male  and  female  are 
always  to  be  seen  in  company ;  or  sometimes  there  are  two  females  to 
one  male,  but  never  more.  The  Negroes  esteem  this  Hornbill  sacred, 
uever  killing  it  themselves,  and  always,  if  possible,  preventing  the 
Europeans  from  firing  at  it.  They  have  a  superstition  that  the  death 
of  one  of  these  birds  gives  cold  to  the  whole  district.  M.  Geoffroy, 
who  examined  several  of  them,  was  observed  to  kill  one :  they  re- 
proached him  with  the  utmost  severity,  and  every  one  present  put  his 
nose  to  the  excrescence  on  the  bill,  in  order  to  secure  himself  from  the 
injurious  consequences  which  he  imagined  would  attend  its  death. 


THE  KHINOCEROS  HORNBILL. — The  protuberance  of  the  beak  of  the 
Rhinoceros  Hornbill  is  so  large,  and  so  much  recurved,  as  to  appear 
rather  an  enormous  deformity,  than  a  natural  production.  This  bird 
is  somewhat  smaller  than  a  Turkey,  and  of  a  black  color,  except  the 
tail,  which  is  white,  and  marked  with  a  bar  of  black.  The  beak  is 
nearly  a  foot  long,  and  of  a  pale  yellow  color. 

These  birds  which  are  found  in  Sumatra  and  several  other  parts 
of  the  east,  feed  on  flesh  and  carrion.  They  are  said  to  follow  the 
hunters,  for  the  purpose  of  feeding  on  the  entrails  of  the  beasts  that 
are  killed.  We  are  told  also  that  they  chase  rats  and  mice,  and  after 
pressing  them  flat  with  their  bill,  in  a  peculiar  manner,  toss  them  up 
into  the  air,  and  swallow  them  whole  immediately  on  their  descent. 


OF  THE  CEOW  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 


THESE  birds  have  a  strong  bill ;  with  the  upper  mandible  a  little 
bent,  the  edges  sharp,  and,  in  general,  a  small  notch  near  the  tip. 
The  nostrils  are  covered  with  bristles  reflected  over  them ;  and  the 
tongue  is  divided  at  the  end.  The  toes  are  placed  three  forward,  and 
one  backward  ;  and  the  middle  toe  is  united  to  the  outer  one  as  far 
as  the  first  joint. 

Few  animals  are  more  generally  dispersed  over  the  world  than  the 
lifferent  species  of  Crow  ;  some  of  them  being  found  in  almost  every 
climate.  They  are  prolific,  clamorous,  and  usually  associate  in  flocks. 
Most  of  them  make  their  nests  in  trees,  and  the  number  of  young-ones 
which  they  produce  is  five  or  six.  They  feed  promiscuously  on 
animal  and  vegetable  substances.  Some  of  the  species,  when  in  great 
numbers,  are  supposed  to  be  injurious  to  man,  by  devouring  grain ; 
but  they  make  amends  for  this  injury,  by  the  immense  quantities  of 
noxious  insects  and  other  vermin  which  thev  destroy. 
7 


100 


THE    BALD-HEADED    CROW. 


THE    BALD-HEADED  CROW 

Belongs  to  a  family  regarded  as  nearly  allied  to  the  Manaken,  although 
differing  considerably  from  the  latter  in  the  peculiarity  of  its  habits  and 
the  superiority  of  its  size,  which  varies  from  that  of  a  Crow  to  that  of  a 
Thrush.  This  bird  is  recognizable  by  its  powerful  body,  short  neck, 
moderately  long  and  pointed  wings,  in  which  the  third  quill  exceeds  the 
rest  in  length,  short  tail,  composed  of  twelve  feathers  and  straight  at  its 
extremity.  The  beak  varies  somewhat  in  different  groups,  but  is 


BALD-HEADED   CROW. 


usually  flatly  compressed  both  towards  the  base  and  at  the  hooked  lip, 
which  is  furnished  with  a  slight  cavity  for  the  reception  of  the  end  of 
the  lower  mandible.  The  gape  extends  very  far  back,  nearly  to  beneath 
the  eyes.  The  feet,  though  short  and  strong,  are  only  fitted  for  perch- 
ing, and  are  seldom  employed  as  means  of  progression.  The  plumage 
is  thick,  compact,  and  composed  of  large  feathers,  but  differs  so  consid- 
erably in  different  species  as  to  render  a  general  description  impossible. 
In  all  the  members  of  the  family  the  windpipe  is  very  wide,  and  fur- 
nished on  each  side  with  a  delicate  layer  of  muscular  fibres. 


THE  RAVEN.  101 


THE  RAVEN. 

Among  the  ancieiitsthe  Raven  was  esteemed  a  bird  of  much  import- 
ance in  augury; 
and  the  various 
changes  and  modu- 
lations of  its  voice 
were  studied  with 
the  greatest  atten- 
tion, and  were  too 
often  used  by  de- 
signing men  to 
mislead  the  un- 
wary. 

It  frequents  the 
neighborhood  of 
great  towns ;  where 
it  is  useful  in  de- 
vouring carrion 
and  filth,  which  it 
scents  at  a  vast 
distance.  It  is  a 
cunning  bird,  and 
generally  careful 
in  keeping  beyond 
the  r  e  a  c  h  of  a  THB  RAVEN. 

gun. 

When  brought  up  young,  the  Raven  becomes  very  familiar ;  and, 
in  a  domestic  state,  he  possesses  many  qualities  that  render  him 
highly  amusing.  Busy,  inquisitive,  and  impudent,  he  goes  every- 
where, affronts  and  drives  off  the  dogs,  plays  his  tricks  on  the 
poultry,  and  is  particularly  assiduous  in  cultivating  the  good  will  oi 
the  cook-maid,  who  is  generally  his  favorite  in  the  family.  But, 
with  these  amusing  qualities,  he  often  also  has  the  vices  and  defects 
of  a  favorite.  He  is  a  glutton  by  nature,  and  a  thief  by  habit.  He 
does  not  confine  himself  to  petty  depredations  on  the  pantry  or  the 
larder;  he  aims  at  more  magnificent  plunder — at  spoils  which  he  can 
ne.ther  exhibit  nor  enjoy,  but  which,  like  a  miser,  he  rests  satisfied 
with  having  the  satisfaction  of  sometimes  visiting  and  contemplating 
in  secret.  A  piece  of  money,  a  teaspoon,  or  a  ring,  is  always  a 
tempting  bait  to  his  avarice :  these  he  will  slily  seize  upon,  and,  if 
not  watched,  will  carry  to  some  hiding-place. 

Mr.  Montagu  was  informed  by  a  gentleman,  that  his  butler,  having 
missed  many  silver  spoons,  and  other  articles,  without  being  able  to 
account  for  the  mode  in  which  they  disappeared,  at  last  observed  a 
tame  Raven  that  was  kept  about  the  house,  with  one  in  his  mouth, 
and,  on  watching  him  to  his  hiding-place,  discovered  there  upwards 
of  a  dozen  more. 


102  THE    RAVEN. 

Notwithstanding  the  injury  these  birds  do  to  the  farmer,  a  popular 
/espect  is  paid  to  them,  from  their  having  been  the  birds  that  fed  the 
prophet  Elijah  in  the  wilderness.  This  prepossession  in  favor  of  the 
Raven  is  of  a  very  ancient  date :  the  Komans,  who  thought  the  bird 
ominous,  paid  to  it,  from  motives  of  fear,  the  most  profound  vene- 
ration. 

A  Raven,  as  Pliny  informs  us,  that  had  been  kept  in  the  Temple 
yf  Castor,  flew  down  into  the  shop  of  a  tailor,  who  was  highly 
delighted  with  its  visits.  He  taught  the  bird  several  tricks;  but 
particularly  to  pronounce  the  names  of  the  emperor  Tiberius,  and  of 
the  whole  royal  family.  The  tailor  was  beginning  to  grow  rich  by 
those  who  came  to  see  this  wonderful  Raven ;  till  an  envious 
neighbor,  displeased  at  his  success,  killed  the  bird,  and  deprived  the 
tailor  of  all  his  hopes  of  future  fortune.  The  Romans,  however, 
thought  it  necessary  to  take  the  poor  tailor's  part ;  they  accordingly 
punished  the  man  who  offered  the  injury,  and  gave  to  the  Raven  all 
the  honors  of  a  splendid  interment. 

The  female  builds  her  nest  early  in  the  spring,  in  trees,  and  the 
holes  of  rocks;  in  which  she  lays  five  or  six  bluish-green  eggs, 
spotted  with  brown.  She  sits  about  twenty  days:  during  which  time 
she  is  constantly  attended  by  the  male,  who  not  only  furnishes  her 
with  abundance  of  food,  but  also,  whenever  she  leaves  the  nest,  takes 
her  place. 

Of  the  perseverance  of  the  Raven  in  the  act  of  incubation,  Mr. 
White  has  related  the  following  singular  anecdote : — In  the  centre  of 
a  grove  near  Selborne,  there  stood  an  oak,  which,  though  on  the 
whole  shapely  and  tall,  bulged  out  into  a  large  excrescence  near  the 
middle  of  the  stem.  On  this  tree  a  pair  of  Ravens  had  fixed  their 
residence  for  such  a  series  of  years,  that  the  oak  was  distinguished 
by  the  title  of  "The  Raventree."  Many  were  the  attempts  of  the 
neighboring  youths  to  get  at  this  nest :  the  difficulty  whetted  their 
inclinations,  and  each  was  ambitious  of  surmounting  the  arduous 
task ;  but,  when  they  arrived  at  the  swelling,  it  jutted  out  so  in  their 
way,  and  was  so  far  beyond  their  grasp,  that  the  boldest  lads  were 
deterred,  and  acknowledged  the  undertaking  to  be  too  hazardous. 
Thus  the  Ravens  continued  to  build,  nest  upon  nest,  in  perfect 
security,  till  the  fatal  day  on  which  the  wood  was  to  be  levelled. 
This  was  in  the  month  of  February,  when  those  birds  usually  sit. 
The  saw  was  applied  to  the  trunk,  the  wedges  were  inserted  into  the 
opening,  the  woods  echoed  to  the  heavy  blows  of  the  beetle  or  mallet 
the  tree  nodded  to  its  fall ;  but  still  the  dam  persisted  in  sitting.  At 
last,  when  it  gave  way,  the  bird  was  flung  from  her  nest;  and,  though 
her  parental  affection  deserved  a  better  fate,  was  whipped  down  by 
the- twigs,  which  brought  her  dead  to  the  ground. 

The  Raven  feeds  chiefly  on  small  animals;  and  is  said  to  destroy 
Rabbits,  young  Ducks,  and  Chickens ;  and  sometimes  even  Lambs, 
when  they  happen  to  be  dropped  in  a  weak  state.  In  the  northern 
regions,  it  preys  in  concert  with  the  White  Bear,  the  Arctic  Fox,  and 
the  JSagle:  it  devours  the  eggs  of  other  birds  and  eats  shore-fish, 
and  shell  fish  ;  with  the  latter  it  soars  into  the  air,  and  drops  them 


THE  CARRION,  OR  COMMON  CROW 


103 


from  on  high  to  break  the  shells,  and  thus  to  get  at  the  contents 
Willughby  says,  that  Kavens  may  be  trained  to  fowling  like  hawks, 
Tbe  faculty  of  scent  in  these  birds  must  be  very  acute ;  for  in  the 
coldest  of  the  winter-days,  at  Hudson's  Bay,  when  every  kind  of 
effluvia  is  almost  instantaneously  destroyed  by  the  frost,  Buffaloes 
aad  other  beasts  have  been  killed  where  not  one  of  these  birds  was 
s^en ;  but,  in  a  few  hours,  scores  of  them  have  been  found  collected 
*  bout  the  spot,  to  pick  up  the  blood  and  offal. 


THE   CARRION,    OR   COMMON   CROW. 

These  birds  live  chiefly  in  pairs,  in  the  woods  where  they  build 
their  nests  on  the  trees. 
The  female  lays  five  or 
six  eggs,  much  like 
those  of  the  Raven  ;  and, 
while  sitting,  is  always 
fed  by  the  male.  They 
feed  on  putrid  flesh  of 
all  sorts ;  as  well  as  on 
worms,  insects,  and 
various  kinds  of  grain. 
Like  the  Ravens,  they 
sometimes  pick  out  the 
eyes  of  La,mbs  when  just 
dropped.  They  also 
do  much  mischief  in 
Rabbit-warrens,  by  OAREION  CR0^ 

killing   and   devouring  .  . 

the  young  Rabbits ;  and  Chickens  and  young  Ducks  do  not  always 
escape  their  attacks. 

Mr.  Montagu  states,  that  he  once  saw  a  Crow  in  pursuit  of  a 
Pigeon,  at  which  it  made  several  pounces  like  a  Hawk;  but  the 
Pigeon  escaped  by  flying  in  at  the  door  of  a  house.  He  saw  another 
strike  a  Pigeon  dead  from  the  top  of  a  barn.  It  is  so  bold  a  bird, 
that  neither  the  Kite,  the  Buzzard,  nor  the  Raven,  approaches  its  nest 
without  being  driven  away.  When  it  has  young-ones  it  will  even 
insult  the  Peregrine  Falcon,  and  at  a  single  pounce  will  bring  that 
bird  to  the  ground. 

When  poultry-hens  lay  their  eggs  in  hedge-bottoms  or  stack-yards, 
Crows  are  often  caught  in  the  act  of  devouring  them.  On  the 
northern  coast  of  Ireland,  a  friend  of  Dr.  Darwin  saw  above  a 
hundred  Crows  at  once  preying  upon  Muscles:  each  Crow  took  a 
Muscle  up  into  the  air  twenty  or  thirty  yards  high,  and  let  it  fall  on 
the  stones,  and  thus,  by  breaking  the  shell,  got  possession  of  the 
animal.  It  is  related  that  a  certain  ancient  philosopher,  walking 
along  the  sea-shore  to  gather  shells,  one  of  these  unlucky  birda 
mistaking  his  bald  head  for  a  stone  dropped  a  shell-fish  upon  it,  and 
kilted  at  once  a  philosopher  and  an  Oyster. 


104 


THE  CARRION,  OR  COMMON  CROW. 


The  familiarity  and  audacity  of  the  Crows  in  some  parts  of  the  East 
w  astonishing.  They  frequent  the  courts  of  houses  belonging  to  the 
Europeans ;  and,  as  the  servants  are  carrying  in  dinner,  will  alight  on 
the  dishes,  and  fly  away  with  the  meat,  if  not  driven  off  by  persona 
who  attend  with  sticks  for  that  purpose. 

In  some  parts  of  North  America  they  are  extremely  numerous,  and 
destroy  the  new-sown  maize  by  pulling  it  out  of  the  ground  and 
devouring  it.  The  ripening  plants  they  also  injure,  by  picking  holea 
in  the  leaves  which  surround  the  ears,  and  thus  exposing  them  to  cor 
ruption  by  letting  in  the  rain.  The  inhabitants  of  Pennsylvania  and 
New  Jersey  allowed  a  reward  of  three-pence  or  four-pence  a-head  foi 
destroying  these  birds ;  but  the  law  was  soon  repealed,  on  account  of 
the  expense  which  it  brought  upon  the  public  treasury. 

There  are  at  present  more  of  these  birds  bred  in  England  than  in 
any  other  country  of  Europe.  In  the  reign  of  Henry  the  Eighth,  Crowa 
had  become  so  numerous,  and  were  thought  so  prejudicial  to  the 
farmer,  that  they  were  considered  an  evil  worthy  of  parliamentary 
redress;  and  an  act  was  passed  for  their  destruction,  in  which  also 
Rooks  and  Choughs  were  included.  Every  hamlet  was  ordered  to 
destroy  a  certain  number  of  Crows'  nest  for  ten  successive  years ;  and 
the  inhabitants  were  compelled  to  assemble  at  stated  times  during  that 
period,  in  order  to  consult  on  the  most  proper  and  effectual  means  of 
extirpating  them. 

The  following  are  modes  adopted  in  some  countries  for  catching 
these  birds-:— A  Crow  is  fastened  alive  on  its  back  firmly  to  the 
ground,  by  means  of  a  brace  on  each  side,  at  the  base  of  the  wings. 
In  this  painful  position  the  animal  struggles  and  screams ;  the  rest  of 
its  species  flock  to  its  cries  from  all  quarters,  with  the  intention,  prob- 
ably, of  affording  relief.  But  the  prisoner,  to  extricate  himself,  grasp- 
ing at  every  thing  within  reach,  seizes  with  his  bill  and  claws,  which 
are  left  at  liberty,  all  that  come  near  him,  and  thus  delivers  them  a 
prey  to  the  bird-catcher.  Crows  are  also  caught  by  cones  of  paper 
baited  with  raw  flesh ;  as  the  Crow  introduces  his  head  to  devour  the 
bait,  which  is  near  the  bottom,  the  paper,  being  besmeared  with  bird- 
lime, sticks  to  the  feathers  of  the  neck,  and  he  remains  hooded. 
Unable  to  get  rid  of  this  bandage,  which  entirely  covers  his  eyes,  the 
Crow  rises  almost  perpendicularly  into  the  air,  the  better  to  avoid 
striking  against  any  object ;  till,  quite  exhausted,  he  sinks  down  near 
the  spot  from  which  he  mounted. 

If  a  Crow  be  put  into  a  cage,  and  exposed  in  the  fields,  his  calla 
generally  attract  the  attention  of  others  that  are  in  the  neighborhood, 
which  flock  round  their  imprisoned  companion.  This  plan  is  some- 
times adopted  in  order  to  get  these  birds  within  gun-shot ;  for,  however 
shy  they  may  otherwise  be,  their  care  is  said  in  this  case  to  be  so  much 
occupied  on  their  friend,  as  to  render  them  almost  heedless  of  the  gun- 
ner's approach. 

Willughby  states,  that  this  bird  is  capable  of  being  taught  to  articu- 
late words  with  considerable  distinctness.  By  the  ancients  it  waa 
esteemed  a  bird  of  bad  omen.  The  Crow  is  so  rare  in  Sweden,  that  Lin- 
naeus speak0  of  it  as  a  bird  that  he  never  knew  killed  in  that  country 
but  once 


THE  ROOK.  105 


THE  BOOK. 

The  Book  is  about  the  size  of  the  Carrion  Crow,  but  its  jlumage  if 
more  glossy.  It  also  differs  in 
having  its  nostrils  and  the 
root  of  the  bill  naked :  in  the 
Crow,  these  are  covered  with 
bristly  hair.  This  difference 
arises  from  the  Rook's  thrust- 
ing its  bill  continually  into 
the  earth,  in  search  of  worms 
and  other  food. 

Besides  insects,  the  Books 
feed  on  different  kinds  of 
grain,  thus  causing  some 
inconvenience  to  the  farmer ; 
but  this  seems  greatly  repaid 

by  the  good  they  do  to  him,  «w  MO*. 

in  extirpating  the  maggots  of 

some  of  the  most  destructive  insects  of  the  Beetle  tribe.  In  some 
parts  of  Great  Britain,  the  farmers  find  it  their  interest  to  encourage 
the  breed  of  Books,  as  the  only  means  of  freeing  their  grounds 
from  the  grub  which  produces  the  Cock-chafer,  and  which  in  this  state 
destroys  the  roots  of  corn  and  grass  to  such  a  degree,  "  that  (says  Mr. 
Stillingfleet,  one  of  the  most  accurate  observers  of  nature  which  that 
country  ever  produced)  I  have  myself  seen  a  piece  of  pasture-land 
where  you  might  turn  up  the  turf  with  your  foot."  An  intelligent 
farmer  in  Berkshire  informed  this  gentleman  that  one  year,  while  his 
men  were  hoeing  a  field  of  turnips,  a  great  number  of  Books  alighted 
in  a  part  of  it  where  they  were  not  at  work.  The  consequence  was  a 
remarkable  fine  crop  in  this  part,  while  in  the  remainder  of  the  field 
there  were  scarcely  any  turnips  that  year. 

These  birds  are  gregarious,  being  sometimes  seen  in  flocks  so  great 
as  to  darken  the  air  in  their  flight.  They  build  their  nests  on  high 
trees,  close  to  each  other;  generally  selecting  a  large  clump  of  the 
tallest  trees  for  this  purpose.  When  once  settled,  they  every  year  fre- 
quent the  same  place.  Books  are,  however,  bad  neighbors  to  ea9h 
other ;  for  they  are  continually  fighting  and  pulling  to  pieces  each 
other's  nests.  These  proceedings  seem  unfavorable  to  their  living  in 
such  close  community :  and  yet,  if  a  pair  offer  to  build  on  a  separate 
tree,  the  nest  is  plundered  and  demolished  at  once.  Some  unhappy 
couples  are  not  permitted  to  finish  any  nest  till  the  rest  have  all  com- 
pleted their  build: ngs ;  for  as  soon  as  they  arrange  a  few  sticks  to- 
gether, a  party  comos  and  demolishes  the  fabric.  It  generally  happens 
that  one  of  the  pair  is  stationed  to  keep  guard,  while  the  other  goes 
abroad  for  materials.  From  their  conduct  in  these  circumstances  oui 
eant-word  rooking,  for  cheating,  originated. 

As  soon  as  the  Books  have  finished  their  nests,  and  before  they  lay. 


106  THE    ROOK. 

ifte  cock  birds  begin  to  feed  the  hens.  These  receive  the  bounty  of 
their  mates  with  a  fondling,  tremulous  voice,  and  fluttering  wings,  and 
with  all  the  little  blandishments  that  are  expressed  by  the  young  while 
in  a  helpless  state.  This  gallant  deportment  of  the  males  is  continued 
through  the  whole  season  of  incubation. 

New-comers  are  often  severely  beaten  by  the  old  inhabitants,  (who 
are  not  fond  of  intrusions  from  other  societies,)  and  are  even  frequently 
driven  quite  away.  Of  this  an  instance  occurred  near  Newcastle,  ir  i 
the  year  1783.  A  pair  of  Rooks,  after  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  es- 
tablish themselves  in  a  rookery  at  no  great  distance  from  the  Exchange, 
were  compelled  to  abandon  the  attempt,  and  take  refuge  on  the  spire 
of  that  building  ;  and,  though  constantly  interrupted  by  other  Books, 
they  built  their  nest  on  the  top  of  the  vane,  and  reared  their  young-ones 
undisturbed  by  the  noise  of  the  populace  below  them : — the  nest  and 
its  inhabitants  were  of  course  turned  about  by  every  change  of  the 
wind.  They  returned  and  built  their  nest  every  year  on  the  same  place), 
till  the  year  1793,  soon  after  which  the  spire  was  taken  down.  A 
small  copper-plate  was  engraved,  of  the  size  of  a  watch-paper,  with  a 
representation  of  the  top  of  the  spire  and  the  nest;  and  so  much 
pleased  were  the  inhabitants  and  other  persons  with  it,  that  as  many 
copies  were  sold  as  produced  to  the  engraver  the  sum  of  ten  pounds. 

A  remarkable  circumstance  respecting  these  birds  occurred  a  few 
years  ago  at  Dallam  Tower,  in  Westmoreland,  the  seat  of  Daniel  Wil- 
son Esq.  There  were  two  groves  adjoining  to  the  park,  one  of  which 
had,  for  many  years,  been  the  resort  of  a  number  of  Herons,  that  regu 
larly  every  year  built  and  bred  there.  In  the  other  was  a  large  rook 
ery.  For  a  long  time  the  two  tribes  lived  peaceably  together.  At 
length,  the  trees  of  the  heronry  were  cut  down,  and  the  young  brood 
perished  by  the  fall  of  the  timber.  The  parent  birds,  not  willing  to  be 
driven  from  the  place,  endeavored  to  effect  a  settlement  in  the  rookery. 
The  Rooks  made  an  obstinate  resistance;  but,  after  a  desperate  contest, 
in  the  course  of  which  many  of  the  Rooks  and  some  of  the  Herons  lost 
their  lives,  the  latter  at  length  succeeded  in  obtaining  possession  of 
some  of  the  trees,  and  that  very  spring  built  their  nests  afresh.  The 
next  season  a  similar  conflict  took  place ;  which,  like  the  former,  was 
terminated  by  the  victory  of  the  Herons.  Since  this  time,  peace  seems 
to  have  been  agreed  upon  between  them ;  the  Rooks  have  relinquished 
part  of  the  grove  to  the  Herons,  to  which  part  alone  they  confine  them- 
selves ;  and  the  two  communities  appear  to  live  together  in  as  much 
harmony  as  they  did  before  the  dispute. 

The  following  anecdote  of  this  sagacious  community  is  related  by 
Dr.  Percival,  in  his  Dissertations:  "A  large  colony  of  Rooks  had 
subsisted  many  years  in  a  grove  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Irwell,  neai 
Manchester.  One  serene  evening  I  placed  myself  within  the  view  of 
H,  and  marked  with  attention  the  various  labors,  pastimes,  and  evolu- 
tions of  this  crowded  society.  The  idle  members  amused  themselves 
with  chasing  each  other  through  endless  mazes ;  and,  in  their  flight, 
they  made  the  air  sound  with  an  infinitude  of  discordant  noises.  In 
the  midst  of  these  playful  exertions,  it  unfortunately  happened  that 
one  Rook,  by  a  su^en  turn,  struck  his  beak  against  the  wing  of 


THE    ROOK.  107 

another.  *The  sufferer  instantly  fell  into  the  river.  A  general  cry  of 
distress  ensued.  The  Birds  hovered,  with  every  expression  of  anxiety, 
over  their  distressed  companion.  Animated  by  their  sympathy,  and,, 
perhaps,  by  the  language  of  counsel  known  to  themselves,  he  sprang- 
into  the  air,  and  by  one  strong  effort,  reached  the  point  of  a  rock  which 
projected  into  the  water.  The  joy  became  loud  and  univeisal;  but 
alas  I  it  was  soon  changed  into  notes  of  lamentation ;  for  the  poor 
wounded  Bird,  in  attempting  to  fly  towards  his  nest,  again  dropped 
into  the  river,  and  was  drowned,  amidst  the  moans  of  his  whole 
fraternity." 

There  seems  to  exist  a  wonderful  antipathy  between  these  birds- 
and  the  Raven.  Mr.  Markwick  says,  that  as  soon  as  a  Raven  had 
built  her  nest  in  a  tree  adjoining  a  very  numerous  rookery,  all  the 
Rooks  immediately  left  the  spot,  and  did  not  return  to  build  there- 
afterwards.  At  the  Bishop  of  Chester's  rookery  at  Broom  ham,  near 
Hastings,  upon  a  Raven's  building  her  nest  in  one  of  the  trees,  all  the- 
Rooks  forsook  the  spot;  they  however  returned  to  their  haunts  in  the^ 
autumn,  and  formed  their  nests  there  the  succeeding  year.  It  is  no- 
very  difficult  task  to  account  for  this  antipathy.  The  Raven  will 
scarcely  suffer  any  bird  to  come  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  its  nest,, 
being  very  fierce  in  defending  it.  It  besides  seizes  the  young  Rooks 
from  their  nests,  to  feed  its  own  offspring.  This  Mr.  Lambert  was  an 
eye-witness  to,  at  Mr.  Seymer's  at  Harford,  in  Dorsetshire ;  for  there 
was  no  peace  in  the  rookery  night  or  day,  till  one  of  the  old  Ravens 
was  killed,  and  the  nest  was  destroyed. 

Rooks  begin  to  build  in  March ;  and,  after  the  breeding-season  wr 
over,  they  forsake  their  nesting-trees,  and  for  sometime  roost  elsewhere ; 
but  they  have  always  been  observed  to  return  in  August.  In  October 
they  repair  their  nests. 

When  the  first  brood  of  Rooks  are  sufficiently  fledged,  they  leave 
their  nest-trees  in  the  day- time,  and  resort  to  some  distant  place  in 
search  of  food  ;  but  they  return  regularly  every  evening  in  vast  flights,. 
to  their  nests;  where,  after  flying  round  several  times  with  muck 
noise  and  clamor,  till  they  are  all  assembled  together,  they  take  ^p 
their  abode  for  the  night. 

Mr.  White,  in  his  Natural  History  of  Selborne,  speaking  of  the- 
evening  exercises  of  Rooks  in  the  autumn,  remarks,  that,  just  before 
dusk,  they  return  in  long  strings  from  the  foraging  of  the  day,  and 
rendezvous  by  thousands  over  Selborne  Down,  where  they  wheel 
round,  and  dive  in  a  playful  manner  in  the  air,  exerting  their  voices, 
which  being  softened  by  the  distance,  become  a  pleasing  murmur,  not 
unlike  the  cry  of  a  pack  of  Hounds  in  deep  echoing  woods.  When 
this  ceremony  is  over,  with  the  last  gleam  of  light  they  retire  to  the 
deep  beech-woods  of  Tisted  and  Kepley.  We  remember  (says  Mr. 
White)  a  little  girl,  who,  as  she  was  going  to  bed,  used  to  remark,  or* 
such  an  occurrence,  in  the  true  spirit  of  physico-theology,  that  the 
Books  were  saying  their  prayers;  and  yet  this  child  was  much  too 
young  to  be  aware  that  the  Scriptures  have  asserted  of  the  Deity — that 
1  He  feedeth  the  havens,  who  call  upon  him.11 

In  the  parts  of  Hampshire  adjacent  to  the  New  Forest,  when  the 


108 


THE    JACKDAW. 


Book  has  reared  his  progeny,  and  has  carried  off'  such  of  them  as  have 
escaped  the  arts  of  men  and  boys,  he  retires  every  evening  at  a  late 
hour,  during  the  autumn  and  winter  months,  to  the  closest  coverts  of 
fche  forest,  after  having  spent  the  day  in  the  open  fields  and  enclosures, 
in  quest  of  food. 

Among  all  the  sounds  of  animal  nature,  few  are  more  grateful  than 
the  cawing  of  Books.  The  Kook  has  but  two  or  three  notes,  and 
when  he  attempts  a  solo  we  cannot  praise  his  song ;  but  when  he  per- 
forms in  concert,  which  is  his  chief  delight,  these  notes,  although  rough 
in  themselves,  being  intermixed  with  those  of  the  multitude,  have,  aa 
it  were,  all  their  rough  edges  worn  off,  and  become  harmonious, 
especially  when  softened  in  the  air,  where  the  bird  chiefly  performs. 
We  have  this  music  in  perfection,  when  the  whole  colony  is  raised  by 
the  discharge  of  a  gun. 

Dr.  Darwin  has  remarked,  that  a  consciousness  of  danger  from  man- 
kind is  much  more  apparent  in  Books  than  in  most  other  birds.  Any 
one  who  has  in  the  least  attended  to  them,  will  see  that  they  evidently 
distinguish  that  the  danger  is  greater  when  a  man  is  armed  with  a  gun, 
than  when  he  has  no  weapon  with  him.  In  the  spring  of  the  year,  if 
a  person  happen  to  walk  under  a  rookery  with  a  gun  in  his  hand,  the 
inhabitants  of  the  trees  rise  on  their  wings,  and  scream  to  the  un- 
fledged young  to  shrink  into  their  nests  from  the  sight  of  the  enemy. 
The  country-people,  observing  this  circumstance  so  uniformly  to  occur, 
assert  that  Books  can  smell  gunpowder. 

In  England  these  birds  remain  during  the  whole  year ;  and  both  in 
France  and  Silecia  they  migrate. 


THE  JACKDAW. 

Jackdaws  are  conaf»v>n  birds  in  England,  where  they  remain  during 

the  whole  year ;  but  in  some 
parts  of  the  Continent  they 
are  migratory. 

They  frequent  old  towers 
and  ruins  in  great  flocks, 
where  they  construct  their 
nests;  and  they  have  been 
sometimes  known  to  build 
in  hollow  trees,  near  a  rook 
ery,  and  to  join  the  Books 
in  their  foraging  parties. 
In  some  parts  of  Hampshire, 
from  the  great  scarcity  of 
towers  or  steeples,  they  Tire 
obliged  to  form  their  nestg 
under-ground,  in  the  Rabbit- 
boles;  they  also  build  in  the  interstices  between  the  upright  and 
oross  stones  of  Stonehenge,  far  out  of  the  reach  of  the  shepherd- 
boys,  who  are  always  idling  about  that  place.  In  the  Isle  of  Ely 


THE   JAY.  109 

from  the  want  of  ruined  edifices,  they  often  build  their  nests  in 
chimneys.  In  the  grate  below  one  of  these  nests,  which  had  not 
been  used  for  some  time,  a  fire  was  lighted;  the  materials  of  the  nest 
caught  fire,  and  they  were  in  such  quantity,  that  it  was  with  great 
difficulty  the  house  could  be  preserved  from  the  flames. 

These  birds  feed  principally  on  worms,  and  the  grubs  of  insects ; 
but  I  was  once  witness  to  a  very  singular  deviation  from  their  usual 
mode  in  this  respect.  I  was  walking  with  a  friend  in  the  Inner 
Temple  garden,  about  the  middle  of  May,  1802,  when  we  observed  a 
Jackdaw  hovering,  in  a  very  unusual  manner,  over  the  Thames.  A 
small  barrel  was  floating  near  the  place,  a  buoy  to  a  net  that  some 
fishermen  were  hauling ;  and  we  at  first  thought  the  bird  was  about 
to  alight  upon  it.  This,  however,  proved  a  mistake ;  for  he  descended 
to  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  fluttered  for  a  few  seconds  with  his 
bill  and  feet  immersed :  he  then  rose,  flew  to  a  little  distance,  ar  d 
again  did  the  same :  after  which  he  made  a  short  circuit,  and  alighted 
on  a  barge,  about  fifty  yards  from  the  garden,  where  he  devoured  a 
small  fish.  When  this  was  done,  he  made  a  third  attempt,  caught 
another,  and  flew  oft'  with  it  in  his  mouth. 

Jackdaws  are  easily  tamed ;  and  may,  with  a  little  difficulty,  be 
taught  to  pronounce  several  words.  They  conceal  such  parts  of 
their  food  as  they  cannot  eat ;  and  often  along  with  it,  small  pieces  of 
money  or  toys,  frequently  occasioning,  for  the  moment,  suspicions  of 
theft  in  persons  who  are  innocent.  They  may  be  fed  on  insects,  fruit, 
grain,  and  small  pieces  of  meat. 

In  Switzerland  there  is  found  a  variety  of  Jackdaws  which  has  a 
white  ring  round  its  neck.  In  Norway,  and  other  cold  countries, 
Jackdaws  have  been  seen  entirely  white. 


THE  JAY. 

This  beautiful  bird  is  well  known  in  our  woods ;  it  builds,  in  trees, 
an  artless  nest,  of  sticks,  fibres,  and  twigs,  in 
which  it  lays  five  or  six  eggs.  Its  delicate 
cinnamon-colored  back  and  breast,  with 
blue  wing  coverts,  barred  with  black  and 
white,  render  it  one  of  the  most  elegant 
birds  produced  in  this  country.  Its  bill  is 
black,  and  chin  white ;  and,  on  its  forehead, 
there  is  a  beautiful  tuft  of  white  feathers, 
streaked  with  black,  which  it  has  the  power 
>f  erecting  at  pleasure.  Its  voice  is  harsh, 
grating,  and  unpleasant. 

When  kept  in  a  domestic  state,  the  Jay  THE  JAY. 

may  be  rendered  familiar,  and  it  will  catch 

and  repeat  a  variety  of  sounds.  One  of  these  birds  has  been  heard  to 
imitate  so  exactly  the  noise  made  by  the  action  of  a  saw,  as  to  induce 
passengers  to  suppose  that  a  carpenter  was  at  work  in  the  house. 

A  Jay  kept  by  a  person  in  the  north  of  England,  had  learned  at 


110  THE   JAY. 

he  approach  of  cattle,  to  s<Jt  a  Cur-Dog  upon  them,  by  whistling  and 
calling  him  by  his  name.  One  winter,  during  a  severe  frost,  the  Dog  wa» 
by  this  means  excited  to  attack  a  Cow,  that  was  big  with  Calf;  when  the- 
poor  animal  fell  on  the  ice,  and  was  much  hurt.  The  Jay  was  com- 
plained of  as  a  nuisance,  and  its  owner  was  obliged  to  destroy  it. 

The  young  Jays  continue  with  the  old  ones  till  the  next  pairing 
time ;  they  then  choose  each  its  mate,  and  separate,  in  order  to  pro- 
duce a  new  progeny.  The  old  birds,  when  enticing  their  fledged 
foung  ones  to  follow  them,  make  a  noise  not  unlike  the  mewing  of 
a  Cat. 

These  birds  feed  in  general  on  acorns,  nuts,  seeds,  and  fruit ;  and 
in  summer  they  are  often  found  injurious  to  gardens,  from  their 
devouring  peas  and  cherries.  Mr.  Wallis,  in  his  Natural  History  of 
Northumberland,  says,  "  They  come  two  or  three  together  out  of 
the  wood  into  my  little  garden  at  Simonburn,  in  the  raspberry  and 
gooseberry  season,  and  can  hardly  be  frightened  away;  in  loud 
clamors,  from  tree  to  tree,  proclaiming  it  (as  it  were)  to  be  their  own 
property." 

So  habitual  is  the  sentinel  cry  of  alarm,  and  so  expressive,  that  al 
the  birds  within  call,  as  well  as  other  wild  animals,  are  instantly  OD 
the  alert,  so  that  the  fowler  and  hunter  become  generally  disappointed 
of  their  game  by  his  garrulence  and  noisy  propensity;  he  is  there- 
fore for  his  petulance,  frequently  killed  without  pity  or  profit,  a» 
his  flesh,  though  eaten,  has  but  little  to  recommend  it.  His  more 
complaisant  notes,  when  undisturbed,  though  guttural  and  echoing, 
are  by  no  means  unpleasant,  and  fall  in  harmoniously  with  the 
cadence  of  the  feathered  choristers  around  him,  so  as  to  form  a  finish- 
trig  part  to  the  general  music  of  the  grove.  His  accents  of  blandish- 
ment, when  influenced  by  the  softer  passions,  are  low  and  musical, 
BO  as  to  be  scarcely  heard  beyond  the  thick  branches  where  he  sits 
concealed ;  but,  as  soon  as  discovered,  he  bursts  .out  into  notes  of 
rage  and  reproach,  accompanying  his  voice  by  jerks  and  actions  of 
temerity  and  defiance.  Indeed  the  Jay  of  Europe,  with  whom  our 
beau  agrees  entirely  in  habits,  is  so  irrascible  and  violent  in  his 
movements,  as  sometimes  to  strangle  himself  in  the  narrow  fork  of  a 
branch  from  which  he  has  been  found  suspended. 

In  times  of  scarcity  he  falls  upon  carrion,  and  has  been  known  to 
venture  into  the  barn,  through  accidental  openings  ;  when  as  if  sensi- 
ble of  the  danger  of  purloining,  he  is  active  and  silent,  and  if  sur- 
prised, postponing  his  garrulity,  he  retreats  with  noiseless  precipita 
tion,  and  with  all  the  cowardice  of  a  thief.  The  worst  trait  of  his 
appetite,  however,  is  his  relish  for  the  eggs  of  other  birds,  in  quest  of 
ffhich  he  may  frequently  be  seen  prowling,  and  with  a  savage  cruelty 
he  sometimes  also  devours  the  callow  young,  spreading  the  plaint  of 
Borrow  and  alarm  wherever  he  flits.  The  whole  neighboring  com- 
munity of  little  birds,  assembled  at  the  cry  of  distress,  sometimes, 
however,  succeed  in  driving  off  the  ruthless  plunderer,  who  not 
always  content  with  the  young,  has  been  seen  to  attack  the  old> 
though  with  dubious  success ;  but  to  the  gallant  and  quarrelsome 
King-bird,  he  submits  like  a  c  ward,  and  driven  to  seek  shelter,  even 


THE   MAGPIE.  Ill 

on  the  ground,  from  the  repeated  blows  of  his  antagonist,  sneaka  off, 
well  contented  to  save  his  life. 


THE    MAGPIE. 

Like  the  Crow,  this  bird  feeds  on  almost  all  substances  animal 
well  as  vegetable, 
that  come  in  its 
way.  It  forms  its 
nest  with  great 
art ;  leaving  a  hole 
in  the  side  for 
admittance,  and 
covering  the  whole 
upper  part  with  a 
texture  of  thorny 
branches  closely 
entangled,  by 
which  a  retreat  is 
secured  from  the 
rude  attacks  of 
other  birds ;  the 
inside  is  furnished 
with  a  sort  of  mat- 
tress, composed  of 

wool  and  other  soft  materials,  on  which  the  young-ones,  which  are 
generally  seven  or  eight  in  number,  repose. 

It  is  a  crafty,  and,  in  a  tame  state,  a  familiar  bird  ;  and  may  be  taught 
to  pronounce  not  only  words,  but  short  sentences,  and  even  to  imitate 
any  particular  noise  that  it  hears. 

Plutarch  relates  a  singular  story  of  a  Magpie  belonging  to  a  barber 
at  Borne.  This  bird  could  imitate,  to  a  wonderful  extent,  almost  every 
noise  that  it  heard.  Some  trumpets  happened  one  day  to  be  sounded 
before  the  shop  ;  and  for  a  day  or  two  afterwards  the  Magpie  was  quite 
mute,  and  seemed  pensive  and  melancholy.  This  surprised  all  who 
knew  it ;  and  they  supposed  that  the  sound  of  the  trumpets  had  so 
stunned  the  bird,  as  to  deprive  it  at  the  same  time  both  of  voice  and 
hearing.  This,  however,  was  not  the  case ;  for,  says  this  writer,  the 
bird  had  been  all  the  time  occupied  in  profound  meditation,  and  wag 
studying  how  to  imitate  the  sound  of  the  trumpets :  accordingly,  in  the 
first  attempt,  it  perfectly  imitated  all  their  repetitions,  stops  an.d 
changes.  This  new  lesson,  however,  made  it  entirely  forget  every 
.hing  that  it  had  learned  before. 

,  In  certain  districts  of  Norway,  the  Magpie  is  so  uncommon  a  bird, 
that  its  appearance  is  considered  a  sign  of  the  approaching  death  of 
some  principal  person  in  the  neighborhood.  In  England  also  it  is  es- 
teemed a  bird  of  omen.  In  the  north  of  England,  one  of  these  birds 
flying  by  itself  is  accounted  a  sign  of  ill  luck ;  two  together  forbode 
something  fortunate;  three  indicate  a  funeral;  and  four,  a  wedding. 


112  THE   RED-LEGGED   CROW CINEREOUS   CROW. 


THE   RED-LEGGED   CROW. 

The  color  of  this  Crow  is  a  'fine  blue  or  purple  black ;  and  its  bill 
and  legs  are  of  a  bright  and  deep  orange. 

The  Red-legged  Crow  is  a  very  tender  bird,  of  elegant  form  and 
unable  to  bear  severe  weather.  Active,  restless,  and  meddling,  it  is 
not  to  be  trusted  where  things  of  consequence  lie.  It  is  much  taken 
with  glittering  objects ;  and  is  apt  to  snatch  up  bits  of  lighted  sticks^ 
so  that  instances  have  occurred  of  houses  having  been  set  on  fire  by  it. 
The  injury  that  it  does  to  thatched  houses  is  sometimes  very  great , 
for,  tearing  holes  into  them  with  its  long  bill,  in  search  of  worms  and 
insects,  the  rain  is  admitted,  and  quickens  their  decay.  It  also  often 
picks  out  lime  from  walls,  in  search  of  spiders  and  flies. 

These  birds  commonly  fly  very  high,  and  they  make  a  more  shrill 
noise  than  the  Jackdaw.  The  Cornish  peasantry  attend  so  much  to 
them,  that  it  is  very  common  to  see  them  tame  in  their  gardens.  They 
shriek  out  aloud  at  the  appearance  of  any  thing  strange  or  frightful ; 
but,  when  applying  for  food,  or  desirous  of  pleasing  those  who  usually 
fondle  them,  their  chattering  is  very  soft  and  engaging. 

When  tame,  they  are  very  docile  and  amusing ;  and  they  are  ex- 
tremely regular  to  their  time  of  feeding.  But,  however  familiar  they 
may  bjp  to  their  immediate  friends,  they  will  not  permit  a  stranger  to 
touchjlhem. 

ThSr  nests  are  built  about  the  middle  of  the  cliffs,  or  in  the  most 
inaccessible  parts  of  ruins.  The  eggs,  which  are  four  or  five  in 
number,  are  somewhat  longer  than  those  of  the  Jackdaw,  and  of  a 
cinereous  white  color,  marked  with  irregular  dusky  blotches.  From 
fcbsir  being  very  tender,  these  birds  are  seldom  seen  abroad  except  in 
fine  weather. 

THE  CINEREOUS  CBOW. 

This  bird  is  so  small  as  seldom  to  weigh  more  than  two  or  three 
ounces.  Its  plumage  is  brown-gray  The  feathers  are  long,  soft,  and 
lilky,  and  in  general  so  much  un  webbed,  as,  in  many  parts  of  the 
body,  to  resemble  hair. 

The  Cinereous  Crow,  which  is  a  native  of  North  America,  and  ia 
extremely  common  in  the  neighborhood  of  Hudson's  Bay,  is  a  very 
familiar  bird,  and  is  fond  of  frequenting  habitations,  either  houses  or 
tents.  But  so  much  is  it  given  to  pilfering,  that  no  kind  of  provisions 
it  can  come  at,  either  fresh  or  salted,  is  safe  from  its  depredations.  It 
is  so  bold  as  to  come  into  tents,  sit  on  the  edge  of  the  kettle  when  hang- 
ing over  the  fire,  and  steal  victuals  out  of  the  dishes. 

Few  creatures  are  more  troublesome  to  the  hunters  than  the-se. 
They  will  sometimes  follow  them  a  day  together :  will  perch  on  a  tree 
while  the  hunter  is  baiting  his  martin-traps,  and  as  soon  as  his  back 
is  turned,  will  go  and  eat  the  baits.  The  Cinereous  Crows  are  easily 
tamed,  but  they  never  live  long  in  confinement. 

The  care  that  this  birc1  takes  in  laying  up  in  summer  a  stock  of 


THE    HOODED    CROW.  113 

fruit  f  yr  winter  provision,  when  no  fruit  is  to  be  uad  abroad,  is  a  re 
markable  instance  of  foresight  in  the  bird  tribe.  Its  nest  is  built  ID 
trees,  and  is  not  unlike  the  nest  of  the  Blackbird  and  Thrush.  The 
female  lays  four  blue  eggs,  but  seldom  hatches  more  than  three  young- 
ones.  These  birds  breed  early  in  the  spring.  They  sometimes  steal 
flesh,  but  never  eat  it,  feeding  principally  on  fruit,  moss,  and  worms. 


THE   HOODED   CROW 

The  Hooded  Crow,  otherwise  called  the  Eoyston  Crow  or  the  Grey 

Crow,  is  rather  a  scarce  bird 
in  the  British  Islands, 
although  scattered  over 
nearly  every  portion  of 
Great  Britain,  even  includ- 
ing Scotland. 

It  is  one  of  the  winter 
visitors  to  England,  gene- 
rally leaving  there  about 
April,  '  although  it  some- 
times remains  during  thet 
summer,  and  lyings  up  a 
brood  of  young.  Like  most 
of  its  congeners,  it  build?  its 
nest  on  the  tops  of  very  tal? 
trees,  such  as  the  pine,  buf 
is  also  known  to  build  on 
precipitous  rocks.  It  is  said  to  use  these  rocks  in  the  stead  of  an 
oyster-knife,  for  as  it  is  very  fond  of  Oysters,  and  does  not  possess  a. 
knife  to  open  them  with,  it  must  discover  some  other  method  of 
getting  at  the  enclosed  animal.  To  attain  this  purpose,  it  is  said 
to  seize  the  Oyster  in  its  beak,  soar  up  to  a  great  height  in  the  air, 
and  to  let  the  Oyster  drop  from  that  elevation  upon  the  hard  rock, 
when  the  shell  is  dashed  to  pieces,  and  the  Crow  is  enabled  to  pick 
out  the  animal  with  ease. 

There  is  but  little  of  the  usual  Corvine  black  hue  about  this  bird, 
only  the  head,  throat,  wings  and  tail  being  so  decorated,  the  remainder 
of  the  bird  being  of  an  ashy  grey.  The  length  of  the  bird  is  about 
twenty -two  inches. 

OF  THE   OKIOLES  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  characteristics  of  this  tribe  are,  a  straight,  conic,  sharp-pointed 
bill ;  with  the  mandibles  equal  in  length,  and  the  edges  sharp  and  in- 
clining inward.  The  nostrils  are  small:  they  are  situated  at  the  base 
of  the  bill,  and  are  partly  covered.  The  tongue  is  cleft  at  the  end 
The  toes  stand  three  forward  and  one  backward,  and  the  middle  OK* 
is  joined  near  the  base  to  the  outer  toe. 


114 


THE    RED-WINGED   ORIOLE. 


GOLDEN   ORIOLE. 


This  is  a  noisy,  gregarious,  and  voracious  race  ;  and  is  confined  almost 
•exclusively  to  America.  Most  of  the  species  form  pendulous  nests 
upon  the  exterior  branches  of  trees,  which  secure  them  from  rapacious 
animals.  Several  nests  are  constructed  on  one  tree.  The  Orioles  in 
general  feed  on  fruit,  but  some  of  them  subsist  on  insects  and  grain. 


THE  BED-WINGED   ORIOLE. 

This  bird  is  about  the  size  of  a  Starling>  being  nearly  nine  inches 
long.  In  some  parts  of  America  these  birds  appear  in  such  immense 
flocks  that  frequently,  at  one  draw  of  a  net,  more  than  three  hundred 
are  caught.  Their  common  name  in  America  is  Maize-thief:  they 
seldom  attack  the  maize  except  just  after  it  is  sown,  qr  when  the 
ear  becomes  green :  then,  pecking  a  hole  iu  the  side,  the  rain  is 


THE  ICTERIC   ORIOLE.  115 

admitted,  and  ehe  grain  spoiled.  They  are  supposed  to  do  this  ib 
search  of  inserts.  The  farmers  sometimes  attempt  their  destruction, 
by  steeping  the  maize  before  it  is  sown,  in  a  decoction  of  white 
hellebore:  the  birds  that  eat  this  prepared  corn,  are  seized  with  a 
vertigo,  and  fall  down  stupified.  They  are  so  bold  and  voracious, 
that  a  flock  of  them  may  frequently  be  shot  at  two  or  three  times 
before  they  can  be  driven  off;  indeed  it  often  happens,  that  during 
the  second  loading  of  the  gun  their  number  increases. 

Catsby  informs  us,  that  in  Carolina  and  Virginia,  these  birds  breed 
in  swampy  places,  among  the  rushes  ;  the  points  of  which  they  weave 
so  as  to  form  a  sort  of  roof  or  shed,  under  which  they  build  their  nest, 
at  so  judicious  a  height,  that  it  can  never  be  reached  even  by  the 
highest  floods.  Dr.  Latham  states,  that  they  build  between  the  forks 
of  trees,  three  or  four  feet  from  the  ground,  in  swamps  which  are 
seldom  penetrable  by  man. 

They  are  easily  caught  in  traps;  and  can,  without  difficulty,  be 
rendered  tame,  and  even  taught  to  speak.  They  are  fond  of  singing ; 
and  are  exceedingly  playful,  either  when  confined  or  when  suffered 
to  run  about  the  house.  With  the  liveliness  and  familiarity  which 
they  possess,  it  is  said  to  be  highly  diverting  to  place  these  birds 
before  a  looking-glass,  and  observe  their  strange  and  whimsical  ges- 
ticulations :  sometimes  they  erect  the  feathers  of  the  head,  and  hiss  at 
the  image ;  then,  lowering  their  crest,  they  set  up  their  tail,  quiver 
their  wings,  and  strike  at  it  with  their  bills.  Whether  taken  young 
or  old,  they  become  immediately  tame.  It  is  not  unusual  to  keep 
them  in  cylindrical  cages  with  bells ;  and  these  cages  they  turn  round 
in  the  same  manner  as  Squirrels  do.  But  when  they  have  been  con- 
fined in  a  cage  for  some  years,  they  are  said  to  become  white,  and  so 
stupid  and  inanimate,  as  at  last  not  to  be  able  to  feed  themselves. 


THE   ICTERIC   ORIOLE,   AND   WEAVER   ORIOLE. 

The  cteric  Oriole  is,  in  size,  somewhat  smaller  than  a  Blackbird' 
of  a  tawny  color,  with  the  head,  throat, 
back,  quill,  and  tail-feathers  black.  The 
wings  have  each  a  white  spot. 

It  is  a  native  of  Carolina  and  Jamaica. 
The   chief   food    of   the    Icteric    Oriole 
consists  of  insects;  and,  for  the  purpose  of 
killing   these,    the   Americans   domesticate 
and   keep   this   bird   in   their  houses.      It 
hops  about  in  a  similar  manner  to  the  Mag- 
pie; and  has  many  other  gestures  of  that 
ICTERIC  OBIOLB.  bird.     Albin  states,  that,  in  all  its  actions, 

it  resembles  the  Starlings;  and  adds,  that 

sometimes  four  or  five  of  them  will  unite  to  attack  a  larger  bird, 
which,  after  they  have  killed,  they  eat  in  a  very  orderly  manner, 
each  choosing  his  part  according  to  his  valor.     In  a  wild  state  the 
8 


WEAVER  ORIOLES  AND  NESTS. 


THE  WEAVER   ORIOLE. 


117 


Icteric  Orioles  are  so  fierce  and  bold,  that,  when  disturbed,  they  will 
attack  even  mankind ;  but,  when  introduced  into  our  society,  they 
are  said  to  be  easily  tamed. 

Their  nests  are  constructed  in  a  cylindrical  form ;  several  on  the 
same  tree,  and  suspended  from  the  extremity  of  the  branches,  where 
they  wave  freely  in  the  air.  In  these  situations  they  are  far  out  of 
the  reach  of  such  animals  as  would  otherwise  destroy  the  young-onea. 
Several  other  species  construct  their  nests  in  a  similar  manner. 


THE  WEAVER  ORIOLE 

This  bird  is  of  a  yellow  color ;  the  head  is  brown,  with  a  golden 
shade,  and  the  quill  and  tail-feathers  are  blackish,  edged  with  orange. 
It  is  chiefly  found  in  Senegal,  and  some  other  parts  of  Africa. 

Of  two  females  of  the  Weaver  Oriole,  which  were  brought  some 
years  ago  from  Senegal  to  England,  it  was  observed,  that,  being  kept 
together  in  a  cage,  they  entwined  among  the  wires  some  of  the  stalks 
of  the  pimpernal,  with  which  they  were  fed.  As  this  seemed  to  show 
a  disposition  for  forming  a  nest,  some  rushstalks  were  put  into  the  cage. 
Of  these  they  presently  made  a  large  nest ;  but  it  was  as  often  deranged 
as  made,  the  work  of  one  day  being  spoiled  the  next.  This  seemed  to 
prove  that  the  fabrication  of  the  nest  in  a  state  of  nature,  is  the  work 
of  both  male  and  female,  and  that  the  female  is  not  able  to  finish  this 
important  structure  by  herself. 

A  bird  of  this  species  having,  by  accident,  obtained  a  thread  of 
sewing-silk,  wove  it  among  the  wires  of  its  cage ;  and,  on  being  sup- 
plied with  more,  it  interlaced  the  whole  very  confusedly,  so  as  to 
prevent  most  part  of  that  side  of  the  cage  from  being  seen  through. 
It  was  found  to  prefer  green  and  yellow  silks  to  those  of  any  othei 
color. 


THE  OVEN   BIRD. 

In  South  America  there  is  a  bird 
that  builds  its  nest  of  clay  and 
shapes  it  something  like  an  oven ; 
and  for  this  reason  it  has  been  called 
the  "  Oven  Bird." 

This  curious  bird  in  building  his 
nest  of  the  wet  clay  by  the  river 
banks,  mixes  in  grass  and  straw  to 
keep  it  in  shape  until  the  sun  bakes 
it  nearly  as  hard  as  brick.  The  nest 
has  two  chambers.  In  the  inner  one, 
which  is  nearly  dark,  the  mother 
bird  lays  her  eggs  on  downy  feathers 
and  then  hatches  her  young.  The 
Oven  Bird  is  slenderly  built  and 
about  the  size  of  a  Lark. 


118  THE  GREATER   BIRD   OF   PARADISE. 


OF  THE  BIRDS  OF  PARADISE  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  Birds  of  Paradise  have  their  bills  slightly  bent,  and  the  base 
clad  with  velvet-like  feathers.  The  nostrils  are  small,  and  covered 
The  tail  consists  of  ten  feathers;  the  two  middle  ones  of  which,  ia 
several  of  the  species,  are  very  long,  and  webbed  only  at  the  base  and 
tips.  The  legs  and  feet  are  large  and  strong ;  having  three  toes 
forward  and  one  backward,  and  the  middle  toe  connected  to  the  outer 
one  as  far  as  the  first  joint. 

No  class  of  birds  has  given  rise  to  more  fables  than  this.  By 
different  writers  we  are  taught  to  understand  that  they  never  touch 
the  ground,  from  the  time  of  their  exclusion  from  the  egg,  to  their 
death;  that  they  live  wholly  on  dew,  and  that  they  are  produced 
without  legs ;  that,  when  they  sleep,  they  hang  themselves  by  the  two 
long  feathers  of  the  tail,  to  the  branch  of  a  tree ;  that  the  female 
produces  her  eggs  in  the  air,  which  the  male  receives  in  an  orifice  in 
his  body,  where  it  is  hatched ;  and  a  thousand  other  stories  that  are 
too  absured  even  to  be  mentioned. 

The  whole  race,  as  far  as  we  are  at  present  acquainted  with  them, 
are  natives  of  New  Guinea,  whence  they  migrate  into  the  neighboring 
islands.  Their  plumage  is  in  general  of  extremely  brilliant  colors. 

THE   GREATER   BIRD  OF   PARADISE. 

The  general  color  of  these  birds  is  chestnut,  with  the  neck  of  a  gold^ 
green  beneath.  The  feathers  of  the  back  and  sides  are  considerably 
longer  than  those  of  the  body.  They  have  two  long  tail  feathers,  which 
are  straight  and  taper  to  the  tip. 

There  are  two  varieties  of  this  species,  both  of  which  inhabit  the 
islands  of  Arrou.  They  are  supposed  to  breed  in  New  Guinea,  and  to 
reside  there  during  the  wet  monsoon ;  but  they  retire  to  the  Arrou 
islands,  about  a  hundred  and  forty  miles  eastward,  during  the  dry 
or  western  monsoon. 

They  always  migrate  in  flocks  of  thirty  or  forty,  and  have  a  leader, 
which  the  inhabitants  of  Arrou  call  the  king.  He  is  said  to  be  black, 
to  have  red  spots,  and  to  fly  far  above  the  flock,  which  never  desert 
him,  but  always  settle  in  the  same  place  that  he  does.  They  never  fly 
with  the  wind,  as  in  that  case  their  loose  plumage  would  be  ruffled  and 
blown  over  their  heads ;  and  a  change  of  wind  often  compels  them  to  alight 
on  the  ground,  from  which  they  cannot  rise  without  difficulty.  When 
surprised  by  a  heavy  gale,  they  soar  to  a  higher  region,  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  tempest.  There,  in  a  serene  sky,  they  float  at  ease  on  their 
light  flowing  feathers,  or  pursue  their  journey  in  security.  During 
their  flight  they  cry  like  Starlings;  but  when  a  storm  blows  in  their 
•  rear,  they  express  their  distressed  situation  by  a  note  somewhat  resem- 
bling the  croaking  of  a  Raven.  In  calm  weather  great  numbers  of 
these  birds  may  be  seen  flying,  both  in  companies  and  singly,  in  pursuit 
of  the  larger  butterflies  and  other  insects  on  which  they  feed.  They 
never  willingly  alight,  except  on  the  highest  trees. 


BIRDS  OF  PARADISE. 


120 


THE   GREATER  BIRD  OF  PARADISE. 


BIRD  OF  PARADISE. 


Their  arrival  at  Arrou  is  watched  by  the  natives,  who  either  shoot 
them  with  blunt  arrows  or  catch  them  by  means  of  bird-lime  or  in 
nooses.  When  caught,  they  make  a  vigorous  resistance  and  defend 
themselves  stoutly  with  their  beaks.  After  being  killed,  the  entrails 
and  breast-bone  are  taken  out  and  they  are  dried  with  smoke  and  sul- 
phur for  exportation  to  Banda,  where  they  are  sold  for  half  a  rix-dollar 
each.  Thus  prepared  they  are  sent  to  all  parts  of  India  and  Persia,  to 
adorn  the  turbans  of  persons  of  rank  and  even  the  trappings  of  the 
horses.  Not  long  ago,  they  formed  an  additional  ornament  to  tho 
head-dresses  of  the  British  fair. 

The  scapulary  feathers  of  the  Superb  Bird  of  Paradise  form  a  long 
spreading  plume,  which  can  be  elevated  at  pleasure,  and  there  are 
two  pointed  lappets  on  the  chest,  which  are  of  the  most  brilliant  steel- 
green.  The  color  of  the  other  plumage  is  velvet  black,  with  green  and 
violet. 


THE  COMMON  CUCKOO. 


121 


OF  THE  CUCKOO  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

THESE  birds  have  their  bill  weak,  and  more  or  less  bending.    T 
nostrils  are  bounded  by  a  small  rim ;   and  the  tongue  is  short 
pointed.     The  toes  are  situated  two  forward  and  two  backward.    TL* 
tail  is  wedge-shaped,  and  consists  of  ten  soft  feathers. 

The  different  species  of  Cuckoos  are  scattered  through  the  four 
quarters  of  the  globe,  but  they  are  much  more  common  in  the  hot  than 
in  temperate  or  cold  climates.  One  species  only  is  found  in  Great 
Britain. 


THE   COMMON  CUCKOO. 

The  Cuckoo  is  about  fourteen  inches  in  length,  and  twenty-five  in 

breadth.  The  bill 
is  black,  strong, 
and  somewhat 
curved.  The  upper 
parts  of  the  plum- 
age are  chiefly  of  a 
dove-color;  ths 
throat  is  pale  grey ; 
and  the  breast  and 
belly  are  white, 
crossed  with  undu- 
lated lines  of  black. 
The  vent  featbers 
are  of  a  buff-color, 
marked  with  a  few 
dusky  spots.  The 
two  middle  tail 
feathers  are  black, 
tipped  with  white. 
The  plumage  of  the 
young  birds  is 
chiefly  brown, 
mixed  with  fer- 
ru  g  i  no  us  and 
black. 

The  Cuckoo  visits  us  early  in  the  spring.  Its  well-known  cry  if» 
generally  heard  about  the  middle  of  April,  and  ceases  about  the  end 
of  June:  its  stay  is  short,  the  old  Cuckoos  being  said  to  quit  this 
country  early  in  July.  These  birds  are  generally  supposed  to  build 
no  nest;  but,  what  is  also  extraordinary,  the  female  Cuckoo  deposits 
her  solitary  egg  in  the  nest  of  another  "bird,  by  which  it  is  hatched. 
The  nests  she  <shooses  for  this  purpose  are  generally  those  of  the  Hedge 
Sparrow,  Water- Wagtail,  Titlark,  Yellow-Hammer,  Green  Linnet,  or 


COMMON  CTJCKOO. 


122  THE   COMMON   CUCKOO. 

Winchat :  but  of  these  it  has  been  observed,  that  she  shows  the  greatest 

partiality  to  toe  nest  of  the  Hedge-Sparrow. 

We  are  indebted  to  the  observations  of  Dr.  Jenner,  for  the  following 
account  of  the  habits  and  economy  of  this  singular  bird,  in  the  dis- 
posal of  its  egg.  He  states  that,  during  the  time  the  Hedge- Sparrow 
xs  laying  her  eggs,  which  generally  occupies  four  or  five  days,  the 
Cuckoo  contrives  to  deposit  her  egg  among  the  rest,  leaving  the  future 
care  of  it  entirely  to  the  Ued.yre-Sparrow.  This  intrusion  often  occa- 
sions some  disorder ;  for  the  old  Hedge- Sparrow,  at  intervals,  while  she 
is  sitting,  not  only  throws  out  some  of  her  own  eggs,  but  sometimes 
injures  them  in  such  a  way,  that  they  become  addle,  so  that  it  fre- 
quently happens,  that  not  more  that  two  or  three  of  the  parent-  bird  'a 
eggs  are  hatched :  but,  what  is  very  remarkable,  it  has  never  been 
observed  that  she  has  either  thrown  out  or  injured  the  egg  of  the 
Cuckoo.  When  the  Hedge-Sparrow  has  set  her  usual  time,  and  has 
disengaged  the  young  Cuckoo  and  some  of  her  own  offspring  from  the 
shell,  her  own  young-ones,  and  any  of  her  eggs  that  remain  unhatehed, 
are  soon  turned  out:  the  young  Cuckoo  then  remains  in  full  posses- 
sion of  the  nest,  and  is  the  sole  object  of  the  future  care  of  the  foster- 
parant.  The  young  birds  are  not  previously  killed,  nor  are  the  eggs 
demolished ;  but  they  are  left  to  perish  together,  either  entangled  in 
the  bush  that  contains  the  nest,  or  lying  on  the  ground  beneath  it. 
On  the  18th  of  June,  1787,  Dr.  Jenner  examined  a  nest  of  a  Hede^e- 
Sparrow,  which  then  contained  a  Cuckoo rs  and  three  Hedge-Sparrow's 
eggs.  On  inspecting  it  the  day  following,  the  bird  had  hatched  :  but 
the  nest  then  contained  only  a  young  Cuckoo  and  one  young  Hedge- 
Sparrow.  The  nest  was  placed  so  near  the  extremity  of  a  hedge,  that 
he  could  distinctly  see  what  was  going  forward  in  it ;  and,  to  his  great 
astonishment,  he  saw  the  young  Cuckoo,  though  so  lately  hatched,  in 
the  act  of  turning  out  the  young  Hedge-Sparrow.  The  mode  of  accom- 
plishing this  was  curious  ;  the  little  animal,  with  the  assistance  of  its 
rump  and  wings,  contrived  to  get  the  bird  upon  its  back,  and,  making 
a  lodgment  for  its  burden  by  elevating  its  elbows,  climbed  backward 
with  it  up  the  side  of  the  nest,  till  it  reached  the  top;  where,  resting 
for  a  moment,  it  threw  off  its  load  with  a  jerk,  and  quite  disengaged 
it  from  the  nest.  After  remaining  a  short  time  in  this  situation,  and 
feeling  about  with  the  extremities  of  its  wings,  as  if  to  be  convinced 
that  the  business  was  properly  executed,  it  dropped  into  the  nest 
again.  Dr.  Jenner  made  several  experiments  in  different  nests,  by 
repeatedly  putting  in  an  egg  to  the  young  Cuckoo;  but  this  he  always 
found  to  be  disposed  of  in  the  same  mariner.  It  is  very  remarkable, 
that  nature  seems  to  have  provided  for  the  singular  disposition  of  the 
Cuckoo,  in  its  formation  at  this  period ;  for,  different  from  other  newly- 
batched  birds,  its  back,  from  the  scapulae  downward,  is  very  broad, 
with  a  considerable  depression  in  the  middle,  which  seems  intended  fo? 
the  express  purpose  of  giving  a  more  secure  lodgment  to  the  egg  of 
the  Hedge-Sparrow  or  its  youn^-one,  while  the  young  Cuckoo  is  em- 
ployed in  removing  either  of  them  from  the  nest.  When  it  is  about 
twelve  days  old,  this  cavity  is  quite  filled  up,  the  back  assumes  the 
shape  of  that  of  nestling  birds  in  general,  and  at  that  time  the  dispo 


THE    COMMON    CUCKOO.  123 

gition  of  turning  out  its  companion  entirely  ceases.  The  smallnessot' 
the  Cuckoo's  egg,  which  in  general  is  less  than  that  of  the  House- 
Sparrow,  is  another  circumstance  to  be  attended  to  in  this  surprising 
transaction,  and  seems  to  account  for  the  parent  Cuckoo's  depositing 
it  in  the  nests  of  such  small  birds  only  as  have  been  mentioned,  if 
she  were  to  do  this  in  the  nest  of  a  bird  that  produced  a  larger  egg,  and 
consequently  a  larger  nestling,  the  design  would  probably  be  frus- 
trated ;  the  young  Cuckoo  would  be  unequal  to  the  task  of  becoming 
sole  possessor  of  the  nest,  and  might  fall  a  sacrifice  to  the  superior 
strength  of  its  partners. 

Dr.  Jenner  observes,  that  the  eggs  of  two  Cuckoos  are  sometimes 
deposited  in  the  same  nest:  he  gives  the  following  instance,  which 
fell  under  his  observation.  Two  Cuckoos  and  a  Hedge-sparrow  were 
hatched  in  the  same  nest ;  one  Hedge-Sparrow's  egg  remained  un- 
hatched.  In  a  few  hours  a  contest  began  between  the  Cuckoos  for 
possession  of  the  nest ;  and  this  continued  undetermined  till  the  after- 
noon of  the  following  day,  when  one  of  them,  which  was  somewhat 
superior  in  size,  turned  out  the  other,  together  with  the  young 
Hedge-Sparrow,  and  the  unhatched  egg.  The  contest,  he  adds,  was 
very  remarkable :  the  combatants  alternately  appeared  to  have  the 
advantage,  as  each  carried  the  other  several  times,  nearly  to  the  top 
of  the  nest,  and  again  sank  down,  oppressed  by  the  weight  of  its 
burden ;  till  at  length,  after  various  efforts,  the  strongest  of  the  two 
prevailed,  and  was  afterwards  brought  up  by  the  Hedge-Sparrow. 

No  reason  can  be  assigned,  from  the  formation  of  this  bird,  why,  in 
common  with  others,  it  should  not  'build  a  nest,  incubate  its  eggs,  and 
rear  its  own  offspring ;  for  it  is  in  every  respect  perfectly  formed  for 
all  these  offices.  To  what  cause  then  may  we  attribute  the  above 
singularities  ?  May  they  not  be  owing  to  the  following  circumstances  ? 
— the  short  residence  this  bird  makes  in  the  country  where  it  is  des- 
tined to  propagate  its  species,  and  the  necessity  that  exists  of  its 
producing,  during  that  short  residence,  a  numerous  progeny.  The 
Cuckoo's  first  appearance  in  England,  is  about  the  middle  of  April : 
its  egg  is  not  ready  for  incubation  till  some  weeks  after  its  arrival, 
seldom  before  the  middle  of  May.  A  fortnight  is  taken  up  by  the 
sitting  bird  in  hatching  the  egg.  The  young  bird  generally  continues 
three  weeks  in  the  nest  before  it  can  fly,  and  the  foster-parents  feed  it 
more  than  five  weeks  after  this  period  ;  so  that,  if  a  Cuckoo  should  be 
ready  with  an  egg  much  sooner  than  the  time  pointed  out,  not  a 
single  nestling  would  be  fit  to  provide  for  itself  before  its  parent 
would  be  instinctively  directed  to  seek  a  new  residence,  and  be  thus 
»mpelled  to  abandon  its  offspring  ;  for  the  old  birds  take  their  final 
leave  of  this  country  the  first  week  in  July. 

"  There  seems  (says  Dr.  Jenner)  no  precise  time  fixed  for  the  depar- 
ture of  young  Cuckoos.  I  believe  they  go  off  in  succession,  probably 
as  soon  as  they  are  capable  of  taking  care  of  themselves ;  for  although 
they  stay  here  till  they  become  nearly  equal  in  size,  and  in  growth  of 
plumage,  to  the  parent,  yet  in  this  very  state  the  fostering  care  of  the 
Hedge-Sparrow  is  not  withdrawn  from  them.  I  have  frequently  seen 
the  young  Cuckoo  of  such  a  size,  that  the  Hedge-Sparrow  has  perched 


124  THE   COMMON    CUCKOO. 

on  its  back,  or  on  its  half-expanded  wing,  in  order  to  gain  sufficient 
elevation  to  put  the  food  into  its  mouth.  At  this  advanced  age  it  ia 
probable  that  the  young  Cuckoos  procure  some  food  for  themselves ; 
like  the  young  Book,  for  instance,  which  in  part  feeds  itself,  and  ia 
partly  fed  by  the  old  ones,  till  the  approach  of  the  pairing  season." 

The  same  instinctive  impulse  which  directs  the  Cuckoo  to  deposit 
her  eggs  in  the  nests  of  other  birds,  directs  her  young-one  to  throw  oat 
the  eggs  and  young  of  the  owner  of  the  nest.  The  scheme  of  nature 
would  be  incomplete  without  it ;  for  it  would  be  difficult,  if  not  im- 
possible, for  the  birds  destined  to  find  nourishment  for  the  Cuckoo,  to 
find  it  also  for  their  own  young-ones,  after  a  certain  period  ;  nor  would 
there  be  room  for  them  all  to  inhabit  the  nest. 

The  above  are  certainly  well-attested  instances  of  the  Cuckoo's 
laying  its  eggs  in  the  nests,  and  trusting  its  young  to  the  protection 
of  other  birds ;  but  there  are  instances,  equally  well  attested,  of  their 
hatching  and  feeding  their  own  nestlings.  The  Eev.  Mr.  Stafford,  one 
day  walking  in  Blossopdale,  in  Derbyshire,  saw  a  Cuckoo  rise  from  its 
nest ;  which  was  on  the  stump  of  a  tree  that  had  been  some  time  felled. 
In  this  nest  there  were  two  young  Cuckoos ;  one  of  which  he  fastened 
to  the  ground  by  a  peg  and  line  ;  and,  for  many  days  beheld  the  old 
Cuckoo  feed  them.  Mr.  Daines  Barrington,  who  recorded  this  account, 
had  been  informed  of  two  other  instances  of  Cuckoo's  nests,  in  which 
the  proper  parents  fed  their  young;  the  one  within  four  miles  of  London, 
and  the  other  on  the  south-west  coast  of  Merionethshire. 

It  has  been  conjectured  by  some  persons,  that,  during  winter,  the 
Cuckoo  remains  in  England,  hidden  in  hollow  trees,  and  in  a  torpid 
state.  In  support  of  this  opinion,  Mr.  Willoughby,  in  his  Ornithology, 
relates  the  following  story  :  "  The  servants  of  a  gentleman  in  the  coun- 
try, having  stocked  up,  in  one  of  the  meadows,  some  old,  dry,  rotten 
willows,  thought  proper,  on  a  certain  occasion,  to  carry  them  home. 
In  heating  a  stove,  two  logs  of  this  timber  were  put  into  the  lower 
part,  and  fire  was  applied  as  usual.  But  soon,  to  the  surprise  of  the 
family,  was  heard  the  voice  of  a  Cuckoo,  chirping  three  times  from 
under  the  stove.  Wondering  at  so  extraordinary  a  cry  in  winter-time, 
the  servants  drew  the  willow  logs  from  the  furnace,  and  in  the  midst 
of  one  of  them  they  saw  something  move ;  when,  taking  an  axe,  they 
opened  the  hole,  and,  thrusting  in  their  hands,  first  they  plucked  out 
nothing  but  feathers  ;  afterwards  they  got  hold  of  a  living  animal,  and 
this  was  the  Cuckoo  that  the  fire  had  awaked.  It  was,  indeed, 
(continues  our  historian,)  brisk  and  lively,  but  wholly  naked  and  bare 
of  feathers,  and  without  any  winter  provision  in  its  hole.  This  Cuckoo 
the  boys  kept  two  years  afterwards  alive  in  the  stove ;  but  whether  it 
repaid  them  with  a  second  song,  the  author  of  the  tale  has  not  thought 
fit  to  inform  us." 

A  few  years  ago  a  young  Cuckoo  was  found,  in  a  torpid  state,  in 
the  thickest  part  of  a  furze  bush.  When  taken  up,  it  soon  exhibited 
signs  of  life,  but  was  quite  destitute  of  feathers.  Being  kept  warm, 
and  carefully  fed,  it  grew  and  recovered  its  coat.  In  the  ensuing 
spring  it  made  its  escape;  and,  in  flying  across  the  river  Tyne,  waa 
heard  to  give  its  usual  call. 


THE  BEE  CUCKOO,  OR  MOROC.  125 

It  would  be  wrong  to  assert  as  a  general  fact,  that  Cuckoos  remain 
torpid  in  England  during  winter,  because  half  a  dozen  (or  perhaps 
not  so  many)  instances  are  recorded  of  their  having  been  found  in 
this  state.  \V^e  are  much  rather  led  to  suppose,  that  these  accidental 
occurrences  have  arisen  from  their  being  young  birds,  which  had  not 
been  strong  enough  to  leave  us  at  the  usual  time  of  migration,  and 
which  had  therefore  sought  for  shelter  and  warmth  in  the  places 
where  they  have  been  discovered. 

It  is  supposed  that  there  are  more  male  Cuckoos  than  females:  Mr. 
Pennant  observes,  that  five  male  birds  were  caught  in  a  trap  in  one 
season;  and  Dr.  Latham  says,  that  out  of  about  half  a  dozen  that  he 
had  examined,  chance  never  directed  him  to  a  female.  The  males 
alone  being  vocal,  may,  however,  be  one  cause  why  our  specimens 
are  chiefly  of  this  sex;  their  n:te  directing  the  gunner  to  take  aim, 
whilst  the  female  is  secured  by  her  silence. 

The  young  bird,-?,  though  helpless  and  foolish  for  a  great  length 
of  time,  may  be,  and  often  are,  brought  up  tame,  so  as  to  becorna 
familiar.  In  this  state  they  will  eat  bread  and  milk,  fruits,  insects, 
eggs,  and  flesh  either  cooked  or  raw;  but  in  a  state  of  nature,  they 
are  supposed  to  live  principally  on  Caterpillars.  When  fat,  they  are 
said  to  be  as  good  eating  as  the  Land-rail. 


THE  BEE  CUCKOO,  OR  MOROC. 

« 

The  Bee  Cuckoo,  in  its  external  appearance,  does  not  much  differ 
from  the  common  Sparrow:  except  that  it  is  somewhat  larger,  and 
of  a  lighter  color:  it  has  also  a  yellow  spot  on  each  shoulder,  and  the 
feathers  of  its  tail  are  dashed  with  white. 

To  this  bird  is  ascribed  the  faculty  of  discovering  and  pointing  out 
to  man,  and  to  the  quadruped  called  the  Ratel,  the  nests  of  wild  Bees. 
It  is  itself  exceedingly  fond  both  of  honey,  and  of  the  Bee  maggots; 
and  it  knows  that  when  a  nest  is  plundered,  some  of  the  honey  must 
fall  to  the  ground,  which  consequently  comes  to  its  share;  but,  in  gen- 
eral, a  part  is  purposely  left  by  the  plunderers,  as  a  re>ward  for  ita 
services.  The  way  in  which  this  bird  communicates  to  others  the  disco- 
very it  has  made,  is  as  surprising  as  it  is  well  adapted  to  the  purpose. 

The  morning  and  evening  are  its  principal  meal  times;  at  least,  it 
is  then  that  it  shows  the  greatest  inclination  to  come  forth,  an«l  with 
a  grating  cry  of  cheer,  cheer,  cheer,  to  excite  the  attention  of  the  Batel, 
*s  well  as  of  the  Hottentots  and  colonists,  of  whose  country  it  is  a 
cutive.  Somebody  then  generally  repairs  to  the  place  whence  tho 
3  >und  proceeds;  when  the  bird,  continually  repeating  its  cry  of  cheer, 
cheer,  cheer,  flies  on  slowly,  and  by  degrees,  towards  the  quarter  where 
the  swarm  of  Bees  has  taken  up  its  abode.  The  persons  thus  invited 
accordingly  follow;  taking  care  at  the  same  time  not  to  frighten  their 
guide  by  any  unusual  noise,  but  rather  to  answer  it  now  and  then 
with  a  soft  and  gentle  whistle,  by  way  of  letting  the  bird  know  that 
its  call  is  attended  to.  When  the  Bees'  nest  is  at  some  distance,  the 
bird  often  makes  long  stages  or  flights,  waiting  for  its  sporting  com- 


126 


THE  BEE  OUCKOO,  OR  MOROC. 


panions  between  each  flight,  and  calling  to  them  again  to  come  on ;  but 
it  flies  to  shorter  distances,  and  repeats  its  cry  more  frequently  and  with 
greater  earnestness,  in  proportion  as  they  approach  nearer  to  the  nest. 
When  the  bird  has  sometimes,  in  consequence  of  its  great  impatience, 
got  too  far  ahead  of  its  followers,  but  particularly  when,  on  account  of 
tlie^nevenness  of  the  ground,  they  have  not  been  able  to  keep  pace 
with  it,  it  has  flown  back  to  meet  them,  and  with  redoubled  cries  has 
denoted  still  greater  impatience,  upbraiding  them,  as  it  were,  for  being 
so  tardy.  When  it  comes  to  the  Bee's  nest,  whether  built  in  the  cleft 
of  a  rock,  in  a  hollow  tree,  or  in  some  cavity  of  the  earth,  it  hovers  over 
the  spot  for  a  few  seconds ;  after  which  it  sits  in  silence,  and  for  the 
most  part  concealed,  in  some  neighboring  tree  or  bush,  in  expectation 
of  what  may  happen,  and  with  a  view  of  receiving  its  share  of  the 
booty.  It  is  probable  that  this  bird  always  hovers,  more  or  less,  in  the 
manner  just  mentioned,  over  the  Bees'  nest,  before  it  hides  itself; 
though  the  people  do  not  always  pay  attention  to  this  circumstance :  at 
at  all  events,  however,  one  may  be  assured  that  the  Bees7  nest  is  very 
near  when,  after  the  bird  has  guided  its  followers  to  some  distance,  it  is 
on  a  sudden  silent. 


THE  BEE   CUCKOO,   OR   MOROC.  127 

Having,  in  consequence  of  the  bird's  directions,  found  and  plun- 
dered the  nest,  the  hunters,  by  way  of  acknowledgment,  usually  leave 
to  the  bird  a  considerable  share  of  that  part  of  the  comb  in  which 
the  young  Bees  are  hatching;  and  which  is  probably  to  it  the  most 
acceptable  morsel. 

The  above  account  of  Dr.  Sparrman  has  undergone  some  severe 
though  ill-natured  animadversions,  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Bruce.  I 
shall  insert  them  in  his  own  words.  "1  cannot  (he  says)  conceive 
that,  in  a  country  where  there  are  so  many  thousand  hives  there  was 
any  use  for  giving  to  a  bird  a  peculiar  instinct  or  faculty  of  discover- 
ing honey,  when,  at  the  same  time,  nature  hath  deprived  him  of  the 
power  of  availing  himself  of  any  advantage  from  the  discovery;  for 
man  seems  in  this  case  to  be  made  for  the  service  of  the  Moroc,  which 
is  very  different  from  the  common  or  ordinary  course  of  things:  man 
certainly  needs  not  this  bird ;  for  on  every  tree  and  on  every  hillock 
he  may  see  plenty  of  honey  at  his  own  deliberate  disposal.  I  cannot 
then  but  think,  with  all  submission  to  these  natural  philosophers, 
(Dr.  Sparrman,  and  Jerome  Lobo,  who  has  also  given  an  account  of 
this  bird,)  that  the  whole  of  this  is  an  improbable  fiction  :  nor  did  I 
ever  hear  a  single  person  in  Abyssinia  suggest,  that  either  this,  or 
any  other  bird,  had  such  a  property.  Sparrman  says  it  was  not  known 
to  any  inhabitant  of  the  Cape,  any  more  than  that  of  the  Moroc  was 
in  .Abyssinia;  it  was  a  secret  of  nature,  hid  from  all  but  these  two 
great  men,  and  I  most  willingly  leave  it  among  the  catalogue  of  their 
particular  discoveries." 

Dr.  Sparrman  says,  that  a  nest  which  was  shown  to  him  as  belong- 
mg  to  this  bird,  was  composed  of  slender  filaments  of  bark,  woven 
together  in  the  form  of  a  bottle :  the  neck  and  opening  hung  down- 
wards; and  a  string,  in  an  arched  shape,  was  suspended  across  the 
opening,  fastened  by  the  two  ends,  perhaps  for  the  bird  to  perch  on. 

Mr.  Barrow,  who  in  the  years  1797  and  1798  travelled  into  the 
interior  of  the  southern  extremity  of  Africa,  fully  confirms  the  truth 
of  Dr.  Sparrman's  account.  He  says,  that  every  one  there  is  too  well 
acquainted  with  the  Moroc  to  have  any  doubt  as  to  the  certainty, 
either  respecting  the  bird,  or  its  mode  of  giving  information  concern- 
ing the  repositories  of  the  Bees.  lie  tells  us  further,  that  it  indicates 
to  the  inhabitants  with  equal  certainty,  the  dens  of  Lions,  Tigers, 
Hyaenas,  and  other  beasts  of  prey  and  noxious  animals.  M.  Le 
Vaillant  says  that  the  Hottentots  are  very  partial  to  the  Moroc,  on 
account  of  the  service  it  renders  them  ;  and  that,  once,  when  he  was 
about  to  shoot  one,  they  on  that  account  begged  him  to  spare  its 
life. 

THE   SPURRED   CUCKOO. 

This  strange  bird  is  found  in  Africa,  the  East  Indies  and  the  Malay 
Inlands.  It  possesses  a  very  powerful  and  much  curved  beak,  which  is 
compressed  at  its  sides ;  the  tarsi  are  high,  and  toes  comparatively  short ; 
the  hinder  toe  is  armed  with  a  very  long  and  almost  straight  spur-like 
claw.  The  extremely  harsh  plumage  is  similarly  coloured  in  both  sexes. 
Their  powers  of  flight  are  limited  and  only  employed  in  cases  of  danger. 


128  THE   BLACK   WOODPECKER. 


OF  T1IE   WOODPECKERS  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  bill  is  straight,  strong,  and  angular  ;  and  at  the  end,  in  most 
of  the  species,  is  formed  like  a  wedge,  for  the  purpose  of  piercing  the 
trjes  The  nostrils  are  covered  with  bristles.  The  tongue  is  very 
long  slender,  cylindrical,  bony,  hard,  and  jngged  at  the  end.  The 
toes  are  placed  two  forward,  and  two  backward ;  and  the  tail  consists 
of  t^n "hard,  stiff,  arid  sharp-pointed  feathers. 

The  Woodpeckers  are  a  very  singular  race  of  birds,  that  live 
almost  entirely  on  insects,  which  they  pick  out  of  decayed  trees,  and 
from  the  bark  of  such  as  are  sound.  These  they  transfix  and  draw 
from  the  crevices  by  means  of  their  tongue,  which  is  bony  at  the 
end,  barbed,  and  furnished  with  a  curious  apparatus  of  muscles,  for 
the  purpose  of  throwing  it  forward  with  great  force.  Their  bill  is 
also  so  strong  and  powerful,  that  by  means  of  it  they  are  able  to  per- 
forate even  such  trees  as  are  perfectly  sound.  In  the  holes  which 
they  thus  make,  they  construct  their  nests.  Their  voice  is  acute,  and 
very  unpleasant.  . 


THE    BLACK    WOODPECKER. 

This  bird  weighs  about  eleven  ounces.     Its  plumage  is  black  •  ex 
cept  the  crown  of  the  head,  which  is  of  a  rich 
crimson.     The  head  of  the  female  is  only  marked 
with  red  behind. 

It  inhabits  Switzerland,  Germany,  and  several 
of  the  northern  regions  ;  and  is  migratory.  It  is 
also  quite  common  in  this  country. 

The   Black    Woodpecker   subsists   on    insects, 
which  it  catcher  on  the  bark  of  trees,  or  between 
the  bark  and   i!ie  wood.     It  darts  out  its  long 
tongue,  sometimes  three  or  four  inches  beyond  its 
bill,  transfixes  the  insects  with  the  end,  and  then         BLACK  WOODPECKKJU 
with  a  very  quick  motion  retracts  it  and  swallows 
them      The  feathers  of  the  tail  are  very  stiff;  and  so  firmly  set  into 
the  rump,  that,  when  the  bird  has  fastened  its  claws  into  the  inequal- 
ities of  the  bark,  he  places  his  strong  tail-feathers  against  it,  and  thus 
standing  as  it  were  erect,  forms  a  hole  by  means  of  his  bill.     He  is 
able  to  pierce  not  only  sound,  but  even  hard  trees,  as  the  oak  and 
hornbeam.    The  hole  thus  made  is  enlarged  within,  for  the  greater 
convenience   of  depositing  its   nest.     The   damage  that   the   Black 
Woodpecker  does  to  timber  by  this  means  is  very  great. 

The  female  lays  two  or  three  white  eggs.     This  bird  Las  a  very 
loud  note;  and  feeds  on  caterpillars  and  insects. 


THE    RED-HEADED    WOODPECKER.  1-9 


THE   WHITE-BILLED  WOODPECKER. 

Phis  species  is  about  the  size  of  a  crow.  The  bill  is  white,  three 
inches  long,  and  channelled.  On  the  head  is  a  red  pointed  crest:  the 
head  itself  and  the  body  in  general  are  black;  but  the  lower  part  of 
tbe  back,  the  rump,  and  upper  tail  coverts,  are  white.  From  the  eye 
a  white  stripe  arises,  and  passes,  on  each  side  of  the  neokj  down  to 
the  back. 

The  White-billed  Woodpecker  is  <bund  in  Carolina,  "Virginia,  and 
other  parts  of  North  America. 

The  Spanish  settlers  of  South  America  have  given  to  the  White- 
billed  Woodpecker  the  name  of  Carpenter,  from  the  noise  that  it 
makes  with  its  bill  against  the  trees  in  the  woods.  This  is  heard  at 
a  great  distance;  and  when  several  of  these  birds  are  at  work  toge- 
ther, the  sound  is  not  much  unlike  that  proceeding  from  woodmen  or 
carpenters.  This  Woodpecker  rattles  its  bill  against  the  sides  of  the 
orifice,  till  even  the  woods  resound.  A  bushel  of  chips,  a  proof  of  its 
labors,  is  often  to  be  found  at  the  foot  of  the  tree.  On  examination 
its  holes  have  been  generally  found  of  a  winding  form,  the  better  to 
protect  the  nest  from  the  effects  of  the  weather. 

The  Canadian  Indians  make  a  kind  of  coronet  with  the  bills  of 
these  birds,  by  setting  them  in  a  wreath  with  the  points  outward; 
and  for  this  purpose  they  will  purchase  them  at  the  rate  of  two  or 
three  buckskins  per  bill. 

THE  RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER. 

This  species  is  about  nine  inches  long.  The  bill  is  about  an  inch 
and  a  quarter  in  length,  of  a  lead  color  with  a  black  tip.  The  head 
and  neck  are  of  a  most  beautiful  crimson  ;  the  back  and  wings  are 
black,  the- rump,  breast,  and  belly,  white;  the  first  ten  quills,  are 
black,  the  eleventh  black  and  white,  and  the  rest  white  with  black 
thafts.  It  inhabits  Carolina,  Canada,  and  most  other  parts  of  North 
America;  migrating  southwards,  according  to  the  severity  of  the 
weather. 

In  various  parts  of  America  these  Woodpeckers  are  extremely 
common:  and  few  animals  can  be  more  destructive  than  they  are,  in 
maize-fields  and  orchards.  They  attack  the  trees  in  flocks,  and  eat 
BO  much  of  the  fruit  that  nothing  but  the  skin  is  left.  In  some  yeard 
they  are  much  more  numerous  than  in  others.  A  premium  of  four 
cents  per  head  was  formerly  paid  from  the  public  funds  of  some  of 
the  States,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  extirpate  the  breed :  but  this  has 
of  late  been  much  neglected. 

They  remain  during  the  whole  year  in  Virginia  and  Carolina,  but 
are  not  seen  in  such  numbers  in  winter  as  during  summer.  In  the 
•winter  they  are  very  tame;  and  they  are  frequently  known  to  oome 
into  the  houses,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  Redbreast  does  in  Eng- 
land. 


TI1K   WRVXECK. 


130  THE   WRYNECK. 

These  Woodpeckers,  like  the  other  species,  build  their  nests  iu 
holes,  which  they  form  in  the  trees;  and  it  is  said  that  the  noise  they 
make  with  their  bills  in  this  operation,  may  be  heard  more  than  a 
mile.  Their  flesh  is  by  many  people  accounted  good  eating. 


THE  WRYNECK. 

The  bill  of  the  Wryneck  is  roundish,  slightly  curved,  and  weak. 
The  nostrils  are  bare  of  feathers,  and  somewhat 
concave.  The  tongue  is  long,  slender,  an  1 
armed  at  the  point.  There  are  are  ten  flexi- 
ble feathers  in  the  tail ;  and  the  feet  are 
formed  for  climbing,  the  toes  being  placed 
two  backward  and  two  forward.  This  bird 
is  about  the  size  of  a  lark,  and  its  plumage 
consists  of  different  shades  of  brown,  ele- 
gantly blended  together.  The  tail-feathers 
are  of  a  pale  ash-color,  marked  with  black 
and  red,  and  having  four  equi-distarit  bars  of  black. 

This  bird  (for  there  is  only  one  ascertained  species  of  its  tribe) 
is  well  known  in  most  parts  of  England.  In  the  form  of  its  tongue 
and  toes  it  resembles  the  Woodpeckers,  but  the  sleuderness  of  the 
bill  prevents  its  being  arranged  amongst  them. 

The  female  builds  an  artless  nest  in  the  hole  of  a  tree,  and  deposits 
in  it  eight  or  ten  perfectly  white  eggs.  Dr.  Derham  informs  us,  that 
although  these  birds  are  far  from  being  any  way  terrible,  yet  when  in 
danger,  they  have  such  singular  contortions  of -their  neck,  and  such 
odd  motions  with  their  head,  that,  when  he  was  a  boy,  he  used  to  be 
so  much  alarmed  at  them,  that  he  was  deterred  from  either  taking 
their  nests  or  touching  the  birds,  daring  no  more  to  venture  his  hands 
into  their  holes,  than  if  a  Serpent  had  lodged  in  them.  The  young 
ones,  while  in  the  nest,  will  also  hiss  like  Snakes;  which  may  afford 
an  additional  preventive  against  the  nest  being  plundered. 

Their  food  consists  principally  of  Ants  and  other  insects,  of  which 
they  find  great  abundance  lodged  in  the  bark  and  crevices  of  trees. 
They  also  frequent  grass-plots  and  Ant-hills ;  into  which  they  dart 
their  tongues,  and  from  which  they  draw  out  their  prey.  Mr.  White, 
in  his  Naturalist's  Calendar,  tells  us  that  these  are  so  long  as  to  coil 
round  their  heads. 

The  manners  of  this  species  were  minutely  examined  by  taking 
a  female  from  her  nest,  and  confining  her  in  a  cage  for  some  days.  A 
quantity  of  mould,  with  Ants  and  their  grubs,  was  given  to*  her ;  and 
it  was  curious  to  observe  the  tongue  darted  forward  and  retracted,  with 
such  velocity,  and  such  unerring  aim,  that  it  never  returned  without 
either  an  Ant  or  a  grub  adhering  to  its  viscous  extremity,  and  not 
transfixed  by  it  as  is  generally  supposed.  While  feeding,  the  body 
was  altogether  motionless ;  the  head  only  being  turned ;  and  the  motion 
of  the  toague  so  rapid,  that  the  grubs,  which  were  of  a  light  color,  and 
were  more  conspicuous  than  the  tongue,  had  somewhat  the  appearance 


THE    EUROPEAN    NUT-HATCH.  131 

of  moving  to  the  mouth  by  attraction,  as  a  small  particle  of  iron  flies 
fco  a  magnet.  The  bill  was  rarely  used,  except  to  remove  the  mould 
ii  order  to  gst  more  readily  at  the  insects.  Where  the  earth  was 
hollow,  the  tongue  was  thrust  into  the  cavities,  in  order  to  rouse  the 
Ants :  for  this  purpose  the  horny  extremity  is  very  serviceable,  as  a 
guide  to  it  into  the  interior. 

The  Wryneck  is  a  solitary  bird,  never  being  seen  in  any  other 
society  than  that  of  its  own  mate :  and  even  this  is  only  transitory  ;  fa 
as  soon  as  the  domestic  union  is  dissolved,  which  is  in  the  month  oi 
September,  each  retires  and  migrates  by  itself,  and  does  not  return  till 
the  ensuing  spring.  The  voice  of  these  birds  is  very  much  like  that 
of  the  smaller  species  of  Hawks.  They  also  sometimes  make  a  noise 
like  a  Grasshopper. 

OF  THE  NUT-HATCH  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  characters  of  this  tribe  are,  a  bill  for  the  most  part  straight, 
having,  on  the  lower  mandible,  a  small  angle  :  small  nostrils,  covered 
with  bristles :  a  short  tongue,  horny  at  the  end  and  jagged  :  toes  placed 
three  forward  and  one  backward  ;  the  middle  toe  joined  closely  at  the 
base  to  both  the  outer ;  and  the  back  toe  as  large  as  the  middle  one. 

In  the  habits  and  manners  of  the  different  species  of  Nut-hatch,  we 
observe  a  very  close  alliance  to  the  Wood-peckers.  Most  of  them  feed 
on  insects ;  and  some  on  nuts,  whence  their  appellation  has  been  acquired. 


THE   EUROPEAN   NUT-HATCH. 

The  length  of  this  bird  is  five  inches  and  three-quarters.  The  bill- 
is  strong  and  straight,  about  three-quarters  of 
an  inch  long;  the  upper  mandible  is  black,, 
and  the  lower  white.  All  the  upper  parts  of 
the  body  are  of  a  bluish  gray :  the  cheeks* 
and  chin  are  white  ;  the  breast  and  belly  pale- 
orange  color;  and  the  quills  dusky.  The  tail' 
is  short ;  and  consists  of  twelve  feathers,  the 
two  middle  ones  of  which  are  gray,  the  two- 
outer  spotted  with  white,  and  the  rest  dusky.. 
The  legs  are  pale  yellow ;  the  claws  are  large,  and  the  back  one  very 
strong. 

The  Nut-hatch,  the  Squirrel,  and  the  Field-mouse,  which  all  live 
much  on  hazel-nuts,  have  each  a  curious  way  of  getting  at  the  kernel 
Of  the  two  latter,  the  Squirrel  after  rasping  off  the  small  end,  splits- 
the  shell  in  two  with  his  long  fore-teeth,  as  a  man  does  with  his  knife ; 
the  Field-mouse  nibbles  a  hole  with  his  teeth,  as  regular  as  if  it  were 
drilled  with  a  whimble,  and  yet  so  small  that  one  would  wonder  how 
the  kernel  could  be  extracted  through  it ;  while  the  Nut-hatch  picks 
an  irregular  ragged  hole  with  his  bill ;  but,  as  he  has  no  paws  to  hold 
the  nut  firm  while  he  pierces  it,  he,  like  an  adroit  workman,  fixes  it, 
as  it  were  in  a  vice,  in  some  cleft  of  a  tree,  or  in  some  crevice ;  when, 


132  OF   THE   KINGFISHER    TRIBE   IN    GENERAL. 

standing  over  it,  he  perforates  the  stubborn  shell.  On  placing  nut? 
in  the  chink  of  a  gate-post  where  Nut-hatches  have  been  known  to 
haunt,  it  has  always  been  found  that  these  birds  have  readily  penetrated 
them.  While  at  work  they  make  a  rapping  noise,  which  may  be  heard 
at  a  considerable  distance.  Dr.  Plott  informs  us  that  this  bird,  by 
putting  its  bill  into  a  crack  in  the  bough  of  a  tree,  sometimes  makes  a 
loud  sound,  as  if  the  branch  were  rending  asunder.  Besides  nuts,  it 
feeds  also  on  Caterpillars,  Beetles  and  various  other  insects. 

The  female  deposits  her  eggs,  six  or  seven  in  number,  in  some  he  10 
cf  a  tree,  frequently  in  one  that  has  been  deserted  by  the  Woodpecker, 
or  rotten  wood  mixed  with  moss.  If  the  entrance  be  too  large,  she 
nicely  stops  up  part  of  it  with  clay,  leaving  only  a  small  hole  for  herself 
to  pass  in  and  out.  While  the  hen  is  sitting,  if  a  stick  be  put  into  the 
hole  she  hisses  like  a  snake ;  and  she  is  so  much  attached  to  her  eggs, 
that  she  will  sooner  suffer  any  one  to  pluck  off  the  feathers  than  fly 
away.  During  the  time  of  incubation,  she  is  assiduously  attended  by  the 
male  who  supplies  her  with  food.  If  the  barrier  of  plaster  at  the  entrance 
of  the  hole  be  destroyed  whilst  these  birds  have  eggs,  it  is  speedily 
replaced  ;  this  is  a  peculiar  instinct,  to  prevent  the  nest  from  being 
destroved  by  Woodpeckers  and  other  birds  of  superior  size  and 
strength,  which  build  in  similar  situations. 

The  Nut-hatch  is  supposed  not  to  sleep  perched  (like  most  other 
birds)  on  a  twig ;  for  it  has  been  observed,  that  when  kept  in  a  cage, 
notwithstanding  it  would  perch  now  and  then,  yet  at  night  it  generally 
crept  into  some  hole  or  corner  to  sleep :  and  it  is  remarkable  that  when 
perched,  or  otherwise  at  rest,  it  had  mostly  the  head  downward,  or  at 
lea»st  even  with  the  body,  and  not  elevated  like  other  birds. 

These  are  shy  and  solitary  birds.  Like  the  Woodpeckers  they 
frequent  woods,  and  run  up  and  down  the  trees  with  surprising 
facility.  They  often  move  their  tail  in  the  manner  of  the  Wagtail. 
They  do  not  migrate  ;  but,  during  the  winter,  they  approach  nearer  to 
inhabited  places,  and  are  sometimes  seen  in  orchards  and  gardens. 


OF  THE  KINGFISHER  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  bill  is  sharp,  triangular,  long,  straight  and  thick.  The  tongue 
is  fleshy,  short,  flat  and  sharp. 
The  feet,  except  in  a  few  species, 
are  formed  for  climbing,  with 
the  toes  two  backward  and  two 
forward. 

These  birds  frequent  the  banks 
of  rivers ;  living  principally  on 
fish,  which  they  catch  with  great 
dexterity.  They  swallow  their 
prey  whole  but  afterwards  throw 
up  the  indigestible  parts.  Their 
wings  are  short ;  yet  they  fly  very 


THE  COMMON   KINGFISHER,  133 


THE   COMMON   KINGFISHER. 

The  length  of  the  Kingfisher  is  seven  inches,  and  its  breadth  eleveii, 
The  bill  is  nearly  two  inches  long,  and  black ;  but  the  base  of  the 
lower  mandible  is  yellow.  The  top  of  the  head,  and  the  sides  of  the 
body,  are  of  a  dark  green,  marked  with  transverse  spots  of  blue.  The 
tail  is  of  a  deep  blue ;  and  the  other  parts  of  the  body  are  of  a  dusky 
orange,  white,  and  black.  The  legs  are  red. 

In  the  beauty  and  brilliancy  of  its  plumage,  the  Common  Kingfisher 
far  excels  all  the  other  species  of  British  birds.  Its  shape  is,  however, 
somewhat  inelegant,  from,  the  great  disproportion  there  is,  in  size, 
between  the  head  and  bill,  and  the  other  parts  of  the  body. 

Its  usual  prey  consists  of  the  smaller  kinds  of  fish,  It  frequently 
sits  on  a  branch  projecting  over  the  current :  there  it  remains  motion- 
less, and  often  watches  whole  hours,  to  catch  the  moment  when  a  little 
fish  rises  to  the  surface  of  the  water  under  its  station;  it  dives  perpen- 
dicularly into  the  water,  where  it  continues  several  seconds,  and  then 
brings  up  the  fish,  which  it  carries  to  land,  beats  to  death,  and  after- 
wards swallows. 

When  the  Kingfisher  cannot  find  a  projecting  bough,  it  sits  on 
some  stone  near  the  brink,  or  even  on  the  gravel;  but  the  moment  it 
perceives  the  fish,  it  takes  a  spring  upward,  of  twelve  or  fifteen  feet, 
and  drops  perpendicularly  from  that  height.  Often  it  is  observed  to 
stop  short  in  its  rapid  course,  and  remain  stationary,  hovering  (in  a 
manner  not  unlike  some  of  the  Hawk  tribe)  over  the  same  spot  for 
several  seconds.  Such  is  its  mode  in  winter,  when  the  muddy  swell 
of  the  stream,  or  the  thickness  of  the  ice,  constrains  it  to  leave  the 
rivers,  and  ply  along  the  sides  of  the  unfrozen  brooks.  At  each  pause 
it  continues,  as  it  were,  suspended  at  the  height  of  fifteen  or  twenty 
feet ;  and,  when  it  would  change  its  pla<}e,  it  sinks,  and  skims  along 
within  a  foot  of  the  surface  of  the  water,  then  rises  and  halts  again. 
This  repeated  and  almost  continual  exercise,  shows  that  the  bird  dives 
for  many  small  objects,  fishes  or  insects,  and  often  in  vain;  for  in  this 
way  it  passes  over  many  a  league. 

u  Kingfishers  (says  Mr.  Gmelin)  are  seen  all  over  Siberia;  and  their 
feathers  are  employed  by  the  Tartars  and  the  Ostiacs  for  many  super- 
stitious uses.  The  former  pluck  them,  cast  them  into  water,  and 
carefully  preserve  such  as  float ;  and  they  pretend,  that  if  with  one 
of  these  feathers  they  touch  a  woman,  or  even  her  clothes,  she  must 
fall  in  love  with  them.  The  Ostiacs  take  the  skin,  the  bill,  and  the 
claws,  of  this  bird,  and  shut  them  in  a  purse;  and,  as  long  as  they 
preserve  this  sort  of  amulet,  they  believe  that  they  have  no  ill  to  fear. 
The  person  who  taught  me  this  means  of  living  happy,  could  not  for- 
bear shedding  tears ;  he  told  me  that  the  loss  of  a  Kingfisher's  skin 
that  he  had,  caused  him  to  lose  also  his  wife  and  his  goods.  I  ob- 
served, that  such  a  bird  could  not  be  very  rare,  since  a  countryman 
of  his  had  brought  me  one,  with  its  skin  and  feathers ;  he  was  much 
surprised,  and  said  that  if  he  had  the  luck  to  find  one,  he  would  give 
it  to  no  person." 


134 


THE    KINGFISHER. 


KINGFISHER. 


The  Kingfisher  lays  its  eggs,  to  the  number  of  seven  or  more,  in  a 
hole  in  the  bank  of  the  river  or  stream  that  it  frequents.  Dr.  Hey- 
sharn  had  a  female  brought  alive  to  him  at  Carlisle,  by  a  boy,  who 
said  he  had  taken  it  the  preceding  night  when  sitting  on  its  eggs. 
His  information  on  the  subject  was,  that  "  having  often  observed  these 
birds  frequent  a  bank  upon  the  river  Peteril,  he  had  watched  them 
carefully,  and  at  last  he  saw  them  go  into  a  small  hole  in  the  bank. 
The  hole  was  too  narrow  to  admit  his  hand  ;  but,  as  it  was  made  in 
soft  mould,  he  ea-sily  enlarged  it.  It  was  upwards  of  half  a  yard  long  : 
at  the  end  of  it,  the  eggs,  which  were  six  in  number,  were  placed  upon 
the  bare  mould,  without  the  smallest  appearance  of  a  nest."  The  eggs 
were  considerably  larger  than  those  of  the  Yellow-hammer,  and  of  a 
transparent  white  color.  It  appears  from  a  still  later  account  than 
this,  that  the  direction  of  the  holes  is  always  upward ;  that  they  are 
enlarged  at  the  end ;  and  have  there  a  kind  of  bedding  formed  of  the 
bcnes  of  small  fish,  and  some  other  substances,  evidently  the  castings 
of  the  parent  animals.  This  bedding  is  generally  about  half  an  inch 
thick,  and  mixed  with  earth.  There  is  reason  to  believe,  that  both 
male  and  female  come  to  this  spot  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  eject 
the  refuse  of  their  food,  for  some  time  before  the  latter  begins  to  lay: 
and  that  they  dry  it  with  the  heat  of  their  bodies ;  as  they  are  fre- 
quently known  to  continue  in  the  hole  for  hours,  long  before  the 
period  for  laying  On  this  disgorged  matter  the  female  deposits  and 
batches  her  eggs. 


THE     COMMON     CREEPER.  135 


OF   TEE   CREEPER   TKIBE   IN   GENERAL. 

THE  bills  of  these  birds  are  curved,  slender,  and  pointed.  The 
tongue  »s  generally  sharp,  fringed,  or  tubular.  The  legs  are  strong, 
and  for  med  with  three  toes  forward. 

The  Creepers  are  dispersed  through  most  countries  of  the  globe 
They  feed  chiefly  on  insects,  in  search  of  which  they  run  up  and 
down  the  stems  and  branches  of  trees.  Most  of  the  species  breed  iu 
hollows  of  trees,  where  they  lay  many  eggs. 


THE   COMMON   CREEPER,    AND    RED   CREEPER. 

The  bill  of  the  Common  Creeper  is  hooked;  and  its  legs  are 
slender,  with  the  claws  very  long,  to-  enable 
it  to  creep  up  and  down  the  bodies  of  trees 
in  search  of  insects.  Its  color  is  a  mixed 
gray,  with  the  under  parts  white.  The  quill- 
feathers  of  the  wings  are  brown,  and  several 
of  them -are  tipped  with  white.  The  tail  is 
long,  and  consists  of  twelve  stiff  feathers. 

It  is  found  both  in  Europe  and  Asia;  and 
is  also  very  common  in  some  parts  of  North 
America,  particularly  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Philadelphia. 

Except    the   Humming-bird,   this   is  the 
smallest  of  all  the  feathered  tribes ;  its  weight 
being   no    more   than    five    drachms.     The 
CREEPERS.  length  of  its  feathers,  and  the  manner  that  it 

has    of  ruffling  them,  give   it,  however,  an 

appearance  much  beyond  its  real  size.  It  is  a  bird  which  seems 
peculiarly  fond  of  the  society  of  man;  and  in  some  parts  of  the 
world  it  is  often  protected  by  his  interested  care.  From  observing 
its  utility  in  destroying  insects,  it  has  long  been  a  custom,  with  the 
inhabitants  of  many  parts  of  the  United  States,  to  fix  a  small  box  at 
the  end  of  a  long  pole,  in  gardens  and  about  houses,  as  a  place  for  it 
to  build  in.  In  these  boxes  the  animals  form  their  nests,  and  hatch 
their  young-ones;  which  the  parent  birds  feed  with  a  variety  of  dif- 
ferent insects,  particularly  those  species  that  are  injurious  in  gardens. 
A  gentleman,  who  was  at  the  trouble  of  watching  these  birds, 
observed  that  the  parents  generally  went  from  the  nest  and  returned 
with  insects  from  forty  to  sixty  times  in  an  hour,  and  that,  in  one 
particular  hour,  they  carried  food  no  fewer  than  seventy-one  times. 
In  this  business  they  were  engaged  during  the  greatest  part  of  the 
day.  Allowing  twelve  hours  to  be  thus  occupied,  a  single  pair  of 
these  birds  would  destroy  at  least  six  hundred  insects  in  the  course 
of  one  day ,  on  the  supposition  that  the  two  birds  took  only  a  single 
insect  each  time.  But  it  is  highly  probable  that  they  often  took  more. 


136  THE    RED   CREEPER. 

1  suspect  that  this  is  the  bird  which  Mr.  St.  John,  in  his  Letters  ci 
*n  American  farmer,  has  called  a  Wren,  and  of  which  he  records  th« 
following  story. — Three  birds  had  built  their  nests  almost  contiguous 
to  each  other.  A  Swallow  had  affixed  hers  in  the  corner  of  a  piazza 
next  his  house;  a  bird  which  he  calls  a  Phebe  in  the  other  corner-, 
and  a  Wren  possessed  a  little  box,  which  he  had  made  on  purpose, 
and  hung  between.  These  were  all  quite  tame.  The  Wren  haa  for 
Home  time,  shown  signs  of  dislike  to  the  box  which  had  been  given 
tc  it,  though  it  was  not  known  on  what  account.  At  length,  how- 
erer,  small  as  it  was,  it  resolved  to  drive  the  Swallow  from  its  habita- 
tion; and,  astonishing  to  say,  it  succeeded.  "Impudence."  says  Mr. 
St.  John,  "gets  the  better  of  modesty;  and  this  exploit  was  no  sooner 
performed,  than  the  Wren  removed  every  material  to  its  own  box, 
with  the  most  admirable  dexterity.  The  signs  of  triumph  appeared 
very  visible ;  it  fluttered  its  wings  with  uncommon  velocity ;  and  an 
universal  joy  was  preceptible  in  all  its  movements.  The  peaceable 
Swallow,  like  the  passive  Quaker,  meekly  sat  at  a  small  distance,  and 
never  offered  the  least  opposition.  But  no  sooner  was  the  plunder 
carried  away,  than  the  injured  bird  went  to  work  with  unabated 
ardor,  and  in  a  few  days  the  depredations  were  repaired."  Mr.  St. 
John,  to  prevent  any  repetition  of  the  same  violence,  removed  the 
Wren's  box  to  another  part  of  the  house. 

The  Creeper  hatches  twice  during  the  summer,  and  has  generally 
from  eighteen  to  twenty  eggs  at  a  time. 

The  Alpine  Creeper  is  principally  of  an  ash-grey  tint;  the  quills  are 
decorated  with  white  or  yellow  spots,  and  the  tail  feathers  are  bordered 
with  white.  "This  bird,"  writes  Jerdon,  "is  found  throughout  the 
Himalayas.  It  looks  very  beautiful  when  flitting  about,  the  fine  red  on  its 
wings  fully  displayed,  and,  indeed,  has  more  the  appearance  of  a  butter- 
fly than  a  bird.  This  species  has  no  call-note.  In  Europe  it  descends 
from  the  Alps,  and  is  found  on  walls  of  old  buildings,  whence  the  name, 
given  by  Linnseus.  It  is  stated  to  breed  in  clefts  and  holes  of  rocks 
and  in  old  buildings.  The  eggs  we  are  told  are  of  a  fine  bright  red." 

THE   RED   CREEPER. 

This  diminutive  inhabitant  of  New  Spain,  smaller  than  even  the 
last-mentioned  species,  I  mention  merely  for  the  purpose  of  descri 
bing  its  nest;  which,  differing,  in  this  respect,  from  those  of  most  of 
the  other  species  of  Creepers,  is  pensile. 

The  nest  is  formed  not  unlike  a  chemist's  retort  placed  with  the 
mouth  downward,  through  which  the  bird  ascends  to  its  offspring  in 
the  bulb  at  the  top.     Its  length  is  fourteen  or  sixteen  inches;  and  it 
is  suspended  to  the  most  extreme  and  tender  branches  of  the  trees, 
by  means  of  a  kind  of  woven  work,  of  similar  materials  to  the  exte- 
rior of  the  nest.     In  the  broadest  part  of  the  bulb,  it  measures  about 
six  inches  in  diameter.     Within   it  is  lined  with  soft  and  downy 
materials,  to  guard  the  bodies  of  the  tender  young-ones  from  injury 
and  it  is  altogether  so  very  light,  as  to  be  driven  about  by  the  mos 
gentle  breeze. 


THE  RED-THROATED  HUMMING-BIRD.  137 


OF  THE  HUMMING-BIRDS  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  characters  of  this  tribe  are,  a  slender,  weak  bill,  in  some  species 

curved,  in  others 
straight ;  the  nostrils 
are  minute:  the 
tongue  is  very  long, 
and  formed  of  two 
conjoined  cylindrical 
tubes:  the  legs  are 
weak :  the  toes  placed 
three  forward  and  one 
backward :  and  the  tall 

THE   HCM^O-B.0.  COIlsisting     Of    tCtt 

feathers. 

The  Humming-birds  are  the  most  diminutive  of  all  the  feathered 
tribes.  They  are  natives  of  the  warmer  parts  of  America,  and  of 
some  of  the  West-India  islands ;  and  bear  a  great  resemblance  to 
each  other  in  manners.  Their  principal  food,  is  the  nectar  at  the 
bottom  of  tubular-shaped  flowers:  this  they  extract,  while  on  wing, 
by  means  of  their  long  and  slender  bill.  Their  name  is  derived  from 
the  humming  noise  they  make  with  their  wings.  They  are  grega- 
rious; and  construct  an  elegant  hemispherical  nest,  in  which  they  lay 
two  small  white  eggs,  that  are  hutched  by  the  sitting  of  the  male  and 
female  alternately,  The  young-ones  are  often  attacked  and  devoured 
by  Spiders.  These  birds  may  be  caught  by  blowing  water  upon  them 
from  a  tube;  or,  like  many  of  our  small  birds,  they  may  be  shot  with 
sand.  Small  as  they  are,  they  are  extremely  bold  and  pugnacious. 
Their  colors  are  too  brilliant  to  be  expressed  by  any  pencil. 

THE   RED-THROATED    HUMMIMG-BIRD 

The  length  of  this  diminutive  creature  is  somewhat  more  than 
three  inches ;  of  which  its  bill  occupies  three  quarters  of  an  inch. 
The  male  is  of  a  green -gold  color  on  the  upper  part,  with  a  change- 
able copper  gloss;  arid  the  under  parts  are  gray.  The  throat  and 
forepart  of  the  neck  are  of  a  ruby  color,  in  some  lights  as  bright  as 
fire.  When  viewed  sideways,  the  feathers  appear  mixed  with  gold, 
and  beneath  they  are  of  a  dull  garnet  color.  The  two  middle  feathers 
of  the  tail  are  similar  in  color  to  the  upper  plumage,  and  the  rest  are 
brown. 

The  female,  instead  of  the  bright  ruby  throat,  has  only  a  few 
obscure  brown  spots ;  and  all  the  outer  tail-feathers,  which  in  the  male 
\re  plain,  are  in  the  female  tipped  with  white. 

.This  beautiful  little  creature  is  as  admirable  for  its  vast  swiftness 
in  the  air,  and  its  manner  of  feeding,  as  for  the  elegance  and  brilliancy 
of  its  colors.  It  flies  so  swiftly,  that  the  eye  is  incapable  of  following 
its  course ;  and  the  motion  of  its  wings  is  so  rapid,  as  to  be  imper- 


1C8 


THE    RED-THROATED    HUMMING-BIRD. 


KEI>-THROATE1>  UCPIWMIN6.-B1XB6   AND   NEST. 

jpptible  to  the  nicest  observer.     Lightning  is  scarcely  more  transient 
than  its  flight,  nor  the  glare  more  bright  than  its  colors. 

It  never  feeds  but  upon  the  wing,  suspended  over  the  flower  from 
winch  it  extracts  nourishment;  for  its  only  food  is  the  honeyed  juice 
lodged  in  flowers,  and  this  it  sucks  through  the  tubes  of  its  curious 
tongue.  Like  the  lx?e,  having  exhausted  the  honey  of  one  flower/ it 
wanders  to  the  noxt  in  search  of  new  sweets*  It  admires  most  those 


THE    RED-TIIROATED    IIUMMIXG-EIRD. 


1C9 


flowers  that  have  the  deepest  tubes;  and  in  the  countries  which  those 
birds  inhabit,  whoever  sets  plants  of  this  description  before  his  windows, 
is  sure  to  be  visited  by  great  numbers  of  them.  It  is  very  entertaining 
to  see  them  swarming  around  the  flowers,  and  trying  every  tube  by 
putting  in  their  bills.  If  they  find  that  their  brethren  have  anticipated 
them,  and  robbed  the  flower  of  its  honey,  they  will  pluck  it  off  in  a 

and  sometimes  the    tear  it  in 


rage,  and  throw  it  on  the  ground  ; 


HUMMiNG-BlHD. 


The  most  violent  passions  animate  at  times  these  diminutive  crea- 
tures. They  have  often  dreadful  contests,  when  numbers  of  them 
happen  to  dispute  the  possession  of  the  same  flower.  They  tilt  against 
one  another  with  such  fury,  as  if  they  meant  to  transfix  their  anta- 
gonists with  their  long  bills.  During  the  fight  they  frequently  pursue 
the  conquered  birds  into  the  apartments  of  houses  where  the  windows 
are  left  open;  they  take  a  turn  round  the  room,  as  flies  do  in  England; 
and  then  suddenly  regain  the  open  air.  They  are  fearless  of  man- 
kind; and,  in  feeding,  will  suffer  persons  to  come  within  two  yards 
of  them  ;  but,  on  a  nearer  approach,  they  dart  away  with  wonderful 
swiftness. 


140 


THE   RED-THROATED  HUMMING-BIRD. 


HUMMING-BIRDS   AND  NEST- 


Fernandez  Oviedo,  an  author  of  great  repute,  speaks,  from  his  own 

knowledge,  of  the  spirited  conduct  even 
of  these  diminutive  birds,  in  defence  of 
their  young-ones:  "When  they  observe 
any  one  climbing  a  tree  in  which  thev 
have  a  nest,  they  attack  him  in  the  face, 
attempting  to  strike  him  in  the  eyes  ;  and 
coming,  going,  and  returning,  with  almost 
incredible  swiftness." 

The  Ilumming-Bird  is  seldom  caught 
alive  ;  a  friend  of  M.  du  Pratz  had,  how- 
ever, this  pleasure.  lie  had  observed 
one  of  these  birds  enter  the  bell  of  a 
convolvulas;  and,  as  it  had  quite  buried  itself  to  get  at  the  bottom, 
he  ran  immediately  to  the  place,  closed  the  flower,  cut  it  from  the 
stalk,  and  carried  oft'  the  bird  a  prisoner.  He  could  not,  however, 
prevail  with  it  to  eat;  and  it  died  in  the  course  of  three  or  four  days. 
Carlevoix  informs  us,  that,  in  Canada,  he  had  possession  of  one  of 

these  birds  f<>r 
about  twenty- 
four  hours.  It 
suffered  itself  to 
be  handled  ;  and 
even  counter- 
feited death  that 
it  might  escape 
A  slight  frost  in 
the  night  des- 
troyed it. 

"  My  friend 
Captain  Davis 
informs  me," 
says  Dr.  Latham, 
in  his  Synopsis 
of  Birds,  "that 
he  kept  these 
birds  alive  for 
four  months  by 
the  following 
method  : — lie 
made  an  exact 
representation  of 
some  of  the 
tubular  flowers, 
with  paper  ,fast 
ened  round  a 
tobacco-pipe,  and 
painted  them  of 

a  proper  color :  these  were  placed  in  the  order  of  nature,  in  the  cage 
in  which  the  little  creatures  were  confined:  the  bottoms  of  the  tube** 


HUMMING-BIRD    AT    REST. 


THE   WHITE-FOOTED    ROCKET-TAIL.  141 

wore  filled  with  a  mixture  of  brown  sugar  and  water  as  often  as 
emptied  ;  and  he  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  them  perform  every  action  ; 
for  they  soon  grew  familiar,  and,  though  close  under  the  eye,  took  their 
nourishment  in  the  same  manner  as  when  ranging  at  large  in  the  open 
air  " 

The  tongue  of  the  Humming-Bird  is  formed  much  like  that  of  thfi 
Woodpecker,  being  curled  round  the  head,  under  the  skin,  and  thus 
capable  of  being  darted  to  a  considerable  distance. 

There  is  a  fable  of  a  Wren  and  an  Eagle.  The  two  birds  entered 
i?:to  a  contest  respecting  the  height  to  which  they  could  severally 
attain.  A  day  was  fixed,  and  the  birds  started.  Away  went  the 
Eajrle,  soaring  in  lessening  spires,  until  his  form  was  lost  in  the 
clouds.  But  where  was  the  Wren?  The  Eagle  had  lost  sight 
of  his  pigmy  opponent  long  ago,  but  in  his  pride  to  show  what 
he  could  do,  he  still  soared  on  and  on,  until  the  lighter  air  would 
scarcely  bear  his  weight.  As  he  hovered  with  wearied  and  rapidly 
beating  wings,  unable  to  gain  another  yard,  up  sprang  the  wren  from 
among  the  Eagle's  feathers,  where  it  had  sat  very  comfortably  all  the 
while,  and  fluttered  above  his  head  with  a  song  of  triumph. 

But  truth,  as  has  been  often  said,  is  stranger  than  fiction,  as  appear! 
from  the  fact  that  the  Eagle  can  be  vanished  by  a  more  insignificant 
foe  than  even  the  Wren,  by  the  IIummirig-Bird,  which  is  not  content 
with  a  mere  racing  victory,  but  drives  the  Eagle  before  it.  The  Ku by- 
throated  IIumming-Bird  has  been  seen  to  dart  between  the  wings  of  a 
flying  Eagle,  to  perch  upon  its  head,  deliberately  to  strip  ofY  the 
feathers,  and  send  them  floating  in  a  stream  after  the  flight  of  the 
persecuted  Eagle,  which  seemed  almost  driven  to  madness  by  its  tiny 
foe. 

Like  many  other  little  creatures,  the  assurance  and  impudence  of 
the  Humming-bird  is  remarkable.  It  is  easily  tamed  for  that  very 
reason,  and  has  been  known  to  domesticate  itself  in  an  hour  from  the 
time  of  its  capture,  and  even  when  released,  it  has  returned  again  to 
partake  of  the  dainties  which  it  had  tasted  during  its  captivity. 


THE    WHITE-FOOTED    ROCKET-TAIL. 

"This  species,"  says  Gould,  "enjoys  a  range  , of  habitat  over  the 
Columbian  Andes,  from  the  third  to  the  tenth  degree  of  north  latitude, 
but  appears  to  be  confined  to  the  region  ranging  between  5,000  and 
9,000  feet  above  the  level  of  the  ocean;  it  is  abundant  i  i  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Santa  Fe  de  Bogota,  and  numerous  in  Galnpan,  between 
La  Guayra  and  the  Caraccas."  Mr.  Dyson  informs  me  that,  when 
hovering  before  a  flower,  the  action  of  its  wings  is  exceedingly  rapid, 
that  it  produces  a  loud  humming  sound,  and  the  large  spatules  at  the 
end  of  the  outer  tail-feathers  show  very  conspicuously,  being  kept  in 
continual  motion  by  the  rapid  movements  of  the  bird,  and  the  repeated 
closing  and  expanding  of  its  tail;  its  white-booted  legs  are  equally 
noticeable.  It  is  strictly  an  inhabitant  of  the  hills,  and  loves  to  examine 
the  flowers  growing  in  open  passes  and  glades  of  the  forest  for  its  insect 


142 


THE    WHITE-FOOTED    ROCKET-TAIL. 


A 
7  i-    X'iSSt 

rr. 


V.^|p\v^  I 

'          f\  \v\sr\'tV^\b\\  -^CTN^X 


THE    WHITE-FOOTED   ROCKET-TAIL. 


food,  which  it  procures  from  the  highest  trees,  as  well  as  from  branches 
near  the  ground.  During  its  flight,  it  passes  through  the  air  with 
arrow-like  swiftness,  the  tail  being  carried  in  a  horizontal  position. 

Mr.  Gosse  gives  the  following  interesting  account  of  one  of  the  many 
attempts  lie  made  to  rear  two  young  males  of  this  beautiful  species : 
"  The  subjects  of  this  experiment  were  not  confined  in  a  cage,  but  kept 
in  a  room  with  doors  and  windows  close  shut.  They  were  lively,  but 
not  wild;  playful  towards  each  other,  and  tame  with  respect  to  myself, 
sitting  unrestrained  for  several  seconds  at  a  time  on  my  finger.  I 
collected  a  few  flowers,  placed  them  in  a  vase  on  a  higk  shelf,  and  to 
these  they  resorted  immediately;  but  I  soon  found  that  they  paid  atten- 
tion to  none  but  a  certain  plant.  I  then  went  out  and  gathered  a  large 
quantity  of  them,  and  was  pleased  to  observe  that  on  entering  the  room 
one  flew  to  my  nosegay  and  sucked  while  I  held  it  in  my  hand." 


PA.SSERINE     BIRDS. 


THE  birds  of  this  order  have  their  bills  of  a  conical  form,  and 
pointed  at  the  end  ;  and  the  feet  are  formed  for  perching  and  hopping, 
the  toes  being  slender  and  divided,  with  slender,  bent,  and  sharp 
claws. 


OF  THE  STAKE  TRIBE' IN  GENEKAL. 

IN  the  present  tribe  the  bill  is  straight,  and  depressed.  The  nostrils 
are  guarded  above  by  a  prominent  rim.  The  tongue  is  hard  and 
cloven ;  and  the  middle  toe  is  connected  to  the  outermost  as  far  as  the 
first  joint. 

There  are,  belonging  to  this  tribe,  about  twenty  known  species,  some 
of  which  are  found  exclusively  upon  the  Old,  and  others  on  the  New 
Continent.  They  chiefly  feed  on  insects  and  worms. 


THE   STARLING. 

Few  Birds  are  more  generally  known  than  the  Starling.  It  is  an 
inhabitant  of  almost  all  climates,  and  is  common  in  every  part  of 
England. 

In  the  winter  season  Starlings  collect  in  vast  flocks,  and  may  be 
known  at  a  great  distance  by  their  whirling 
mode  of  flight ;  which  M.  de  Buffon  compares 
to  a  sort  of  vortex,  in  which  the  collective 
body  performs  a  uniformly  circular  revolution, 
and  at  the  same  time  continues  to  make  a 
progressive  advance.  The  evening  is  the  time 
when  Starlings  assemble  in  the  greatest  num- 
bers, and  betake  themselves  to  the  fens  and 
marches.  In  the  fens  of  Lincolnshire  they 
collect  in  myriads,  and  do  great  damage  to  the 
inhabitants  by  roosting  on  the  reeds,  (the 
thatch  of  that  country,)  and  breaking  them  down  by  their  weight. 

They  chatter  much  in  the  evening  and  morning,  both  when  they 
assemble  and  disperse.  So  attached  are  they  to  society,  that  they  not 
only  join  those  of  their  own  species,  but  also  birds  of  different  kinds, 
and  are  frequently  seen  in  company  with  Bed  wings,  Fieldfares,  .and 
even  with  Owls,  Jackdaws,  and  Pigeons.  Their  principal  food  consists 
of  Snails,  Worms,  and  insects :  they  likewise  eat  various  kinds  of  grain, 
seeds,  and  fruit,  and  are  said  to  be  particularly  fond  of  cherries.  It  "n 

143 


144 


THE   STARLIXG. 


reported  of  them  that  they  get  into  pigeon-houses  for  the  purpose  of 
sucking  the  eggs. 

The  female  builds  an  artless  nest  of  straw  and  small  fibres,  in  the 
hollows  of  trees,  rocks,  or  old  walls,  and  sometimes  in  cliffs  that  over- 
hang  the  sea.  She  lays  four  or  five  eggs,  of  a  pale  greenish-ash  color. 

The  Starling  is  a  familiar  bird,  and  in  a  state  of  captivity  is  easily 
trained.  Its  natural  voice  is  strong  and  hoarse  ;  but  it  may  be  taught, 
\uthoutdifficulty,  to  repeat  short  sentences,  or  to  whistle  tunes  with 
great  exactness.  In  a  state  of  confinement  it  will  eat  small  pieces  of 
raw  flesh,  or  bread  soaked  in  water. 

This  well-known  harmless  inhabitant  of  meadows  and  old  fields  is 
not  only  found  in  every  part  of  the  United  States,  but  appears  to  be  a 
resident  in  all  the  intermediate  region,  from  the  frigid  latitude  of  53°, 
and  the  territory  of  Oregon,  to  the  mild  table  land  of  Mexico,  and  the 


DESKIIT   LARK. 


tropical  savannahs  of  Guiana.  In  the  winter  they  abound  in  Alabama 
and  west  Florida,  so  that  in  some  degree,  like  the  Jays,  and  the  legit- 
imate Starlings,  they  partially  migrate  in  quest  of  food  during  the 
severity  of  the  weather  in  the  colder  states.  It  is  not  however  improb- 
sble,  but  that  most  of  the  migrating  families  of  this  bird,  which  we  find 
U  this  season,  have  merely  travelled  eastward  from  the  cold  western 
plains  that  are  annually  covered  with  snow.  They  are  now  seen  in 
considerable  numbers  in  and  round  the  salt  marshes,  roving  about  in 
flocks  of  ten  to  thirty  or  more,  seeking  the  shelter  of  the  sea-coast, 
though  not  in  such  dense  flocks  as  the  true  Starlings ;  these  in  the 
manner  of  our  common  Blackbirds  assemble  in  winter,  like  dark  clouds, 
moving  as  one  body,  and  when  about  to  descend,  perform  progressive 
circular  evolutions  in  the  air,  like  a  phalanx  in  the  order  of  battle  ;  and 
when  settled,  blacken  the  earth  with  their  numbers,  as  well  as  stun  the 
ears  with  their  chatter.  Like  crows  also,  they  seek  the  shelter  of  reed 
marshes  to  pass  the  night,  and  in  the  day  take  the  benefit  of  every 
iunny  and  sheltered  covert. 


WATER   OCZEL. 


TEE  WATER    OUZEL.  145 


THE   WATER    .OUZEL. 

The  Water  Ouzel  is,  in  size,  somewhat  less  than  the  Blackbird 
Its  bill  is  black,  and  almost  straight.  The 
eyelids  are  white.  The  upper  parts  of  the 
head  and  neck  are  of  a  deep  brown :  and  the 
rest  of  the  upper  parts,  the  belly,  the  vent, 
and  the  tail,  are  black.  The  chin,  the  forepart 
of  the  neck,  and  breast,  are  white  or  yellow- 
ish. The  legs  are  black. 

This  bird  frequents  the  banks  of  springs 
and  brooks ;  and  prefers  those  of  limpid 
streams  whose  fall  is  rapid,  and  whose  bed  is  broken  with  stones  and 
fragments  of  rocks. 

Its  habits  are  singular.  Aquatic  birds,  with  palmated  feet,  swim 
or  dive ;  those  which  inhabit  the  shores,  wade  by  means  of  their  tall 
legs,  without  wetting  their  body;  but  the  Water  Ouzel  walks  quite 
into  the  flood,  following  the  declivity  of  the  ground.  It  is  observed 
to  enter  by  degrees,  till  the  water  reaches  its  neck  ;  and  it  still  advances 
holding  its  head  not  higher  than  usual,  though  completely  immersed. 
It  continues  to  walk  under  the  water :  and  even  descends  to  the  bottom, 
where  it  saunters  as  on  a  dry  bank.  The  following  is  an  account  of 
this  extraordinary  habit,  which  was  communicated  by  M.  Herbert  to 
M.  de  Buffon  : 

"  I  lay  concealed  on  the  verge  of  the  lake  Nantua,  in  a  hut  formed 
of  pine-branches  and  snow;  where  I  was  waiting  till  a  boat,  which 
was  rowing  on  the  lake,  should  drive  some  wild  ducks  to  the  water's 
edge.  Before  me  was  a  small  inlet,  the  bottom  of  which  gently 
shelved,  till  the  water  was  two  or  three  feet  deep  in  the  middle. 
A  Water  Ouzel  stopped  here  more  than  an  hour,  and  I  had  full  leis- 
ure to  view  its  manoeuvres.  It  entered  the  water,  disappeared,  and 
again  emerged  on  the  other  side  of  the  inlet,  which  it  thus  repeatedly 
forded.  It  traversed  the  whole  of  the  bottom,  and  in  so  doing  seemed 
not  to  have  changed  its  element,  and  discovered  no  hesitation  or  re- 
luctance in  the  immersion.  However,  1  perceived  several  times,  that 
as  often  as  it  waded  deeper  than  the  knee,  it  displayed  its  wings, -and 
allowed  them  to  hang  to  the  ground.  1  remarked  too,  that,  when  I 
could  discern  it  at  the  bottom  of  the  water,  it  appeared  enveloped  with 
air,  which  gave  it  a  brilliant  surface;  like  that  on  some  sorts  of 
beetles,  which  in  water  are  always  enclosed  in  a  bubble  of  air.  Its  view 
in  dropping  its  wings  on  entering  the  water,  might  be  to  oonrine  this 
air;  it  was  certainly  never  without  some,  and  it  seemed  to  quiver. 
These  singular  habits  were  unknown  to  all  the  sportsmen  with  whom 
I  talked  on  the  subject ;  and  perhaps,  had  it  not  been  for  the  accident 
of  the  snow-hut  in  which  I  was  concealed,  I  should  also  have  for  ever 
remained  ignorant  of  them;  but  the  above  facts  I  can  aver,  as  the 
bird  came  quite  to  my  feet,  and  that  I  might  observe  it,  1  refrained 
from  killing  it." 


THE    RIXG    OUZEL. 

The  Water  Ouzel  is  found  in  many  parts  of  Europe.  The  female 
makes  her  nest  on  the  ground,  in  some  mossy  bank  near  tne  water,  of 
hay  and  dried  fibres,  lining  it  with  dry  oak-leaves,  and  forming  to  to 
a  portico  or  entrance  of  moss.  The  eggs  are  five  in  number;  white, 
tinged  with  a  tine  blush  of  red.  A  pair  of  these  birds,  which  had 
for  many  years  built  under  a  small  wooden  bridge  in  Caermarthen- 
shire,  were  found  to  have  a  nest  early  in  May  :  this  was  taken,  but  it 
c  >ritained  no  eggs,  although  the  bird  flew  out  of  it  at  the  time. 
Ab:ut  a  fortnight  afterwards  they  had  completed  another  nest  in  the 
same  place,  enclosing  five  eggs;  this  was  taken;  and,  in  a  month, 
a  third  nest,  under  the  same  bridge,"  w;is  taken,  that  had  in  it  four 
e.>-gs ;  undoubtedly  the  work  of  the  same  birds,  as  no  others  were 
seen  about  that  part.  At  the  time  thut  the  last  nest  was  taken,  the 
female  was  sitting;  and  the  instant  she  quitted  the  nest,  she  plunged 
into  the  water,  and  disappeared  for  a  considerable  while,  till  at  last 
she  emerged  at  a  great  distance  down  the  stream.  At  another  time,  a 
nest  of  the  Water  Ouzel  was  found  in  a  steep  projecting  bank  (over 
a  rivulet)  clothed  with  moss.  The  nest  was  'so  well  adapted  in  color 
to  the  surrounding  materials,  that  nothing  but  one  of  the  old  birds 
flying  in  with  a  fish  in  its  bill  could  have  led  to  the  discovery.  The 
young-ones  were  nearly  feathered,  but  incapable  of  flight;  and  the 
moment  the  nest  was  disturbed  they  fluttered  out  and  dropped  into 
the  water,  and,  to  the  astonishment  of  the  persons  present,  instantly 
vanished  ;  but  in  a  little  time  they  re-appeared  at  some  distance  down 
the  stream,  and  it  was  with  dilliculty  that  two  out  of  the  live  were 
taken. 

The  Water  Ouzel  will  sometimes  pick  up  insects  at  the  edge  of  the 
water.  When  disturbed,  it  usually  flirts  up  its  tail,  and  makes  a 
chirping  noise.  Its  song  in  spring  is  said  to  be  very  pretty.  In 
some  places  this  bird  is  supposed  to  be  migratory.  The  ear  is  startled 
by  the  sonorous  song  of  this  singular  bird  as  it  mingles  with  the  hoarse 
tones  of  the  torrent,  or  the  rushing  of  the  wintry  waterfall,  sometimes 
when  there  is  a  storm  of  snow.  Mr.  Rennie  remarks :  "  It  is  one  of  the 
few  birds  that  are  vocal  so  early  in  the  year  as  the  months  of  January 
and  February;  I  have  heard  it  when  the  thermometer  was  26°  sing 
incessantly,  not  only  elegantly  but  powerfully  with  much  variety  in  the 
notes. 

THE    RING    OCZKL. 

This  bird  is  found  in  various  parts  of  Europe,  and  is  somewhat 
larger  than  the  common  Blackbird.  They  haunt  the  wildest  and 
most  rocky  parts  of  glens  and  ravines,  and  make  their  nest  on  some 
steep  bank,  under  the  covert  of  grass  or  heath,  or  on  some  shelf 
amidst  mosses,  which,  the  outside  being  made  of  the  same  materials, 
entirely  conceal  it  from  view.  The  upper  parts  of  the  body  of  the 
male  bird  is  black,  the  feathers  being  margined  with  blackish -grey. 
On  the  upper  part  of  the  breast  is  a  large  crescent-shaped  gorget  of 
pure  white.  The  plumage  of  the  female  bird  is  more  clouded  with 
grey,  and  the  pectoral  gorget  is  much  smaller,  and  clouded  with  red 
dish-brown  and  grey. 


WATER  OUZELS. 


147 


148 


WHEATEAR THE   REDSTART. 


THE  WHEATEAR. 

The  Wheatear  is  one  of  our  early  visitors,  appearing  at  the  begin 
ning  of  March.  It  is  a  very  conspicuous  bird,  and  can  be  readily 
distinguished  by  the  black  mark  that  surrounds  the  eye,  and  stretches 
from  the  base  of  the  bill,  to  beyond  the  ear-coverts.  It  is  a  very 
pretty  songster,  its  notes  being  soft  and  sweet,  although  wanting  in 
power. 

It  is  killed  in  great  numbers  for  the  table,  as  its  flesh  is  so  delicate 
as  to  entitle  it  to  the  name  of  the  English  Ortolan.  In  the  prop'er 
season,  the  bird  is  covered  with  fat  to  such  an  extent,  that  the 
plumage  is  often  spoiled  by  the  fat  running  from  the  holes  made 
by  the  shot. 

The  nest  of  the  Wheatear  is  made  of  the  usual  materials,  and  is 
placed  in  some  sheltered  spot  where  it  is  well  concealed  from  prying 
eves.  The  eggs  are  five  or  six  in  number,  of  a  delicate  feint  bluish 
tinge,  and  very  smooth  on  the  exterior. 


THE   REDSTART. 

The  Eedstart  derives  its  name  from  the  bright  reddish  chestnut 

color  of  the  upper  tail  coverts  and 
tail  feathers,  which  appear  very 
conspicuous  as  the  bird  flits  from 
one  tree  to  another,  or  dashes  off 
when  startled.  It  inhabits  the 
skirts  of  forests,  copses,  gardens, 
and  especially  frequents  old  ivied 
walls,  where  numbers  of  the  nests 
may  be  found.  In  1847, 1  found  a 
Redstart's  nest  built  in  a  hole  of  a 
wall,  forming  one  side  of  a  narrow 
passage  in  Merton  College,  Oxford. 
The  eggs  were  nearly  hatched, 
and  the  birds  did  not  seem  to  be 
j  of  servants  with  their  parapher- 
nalia of  brooms,  pails,  and  other  implements.  The  nest  was  so  placed 
that  every  passer  by  could  not  fail  to  perceive  it,  but  the  birds  sat  on 
their  eggs  quite  unconcernedly. 

The  song  of  this  bird  is  not  very  powerful,  but  the  notes  are  pecu 
liarlv  sweet.  While  singing,  it  often  changes  its  situation,  occasionall  k 
singing  as  it  flies. 

The  nest  is  placed  usually  in  a  hole  in  a  wall,  or  in  a  hollow  tree. 
The  eggs  are  five  in  number,  of  a  greenish-blue  color,  closely  resem- 
bling those  of  the  Hedge  Accentor.  The  length  of  the  bird  is  rather 
more  than  five  inches.  The  fourth  primary  feather  is  the  longest. 


disturbed  by  the  constant  passin; 


THE   GARDEN    WARBLER. 


149 


THE   GARDEN  WARBLEB 

This  bird  is  one  of  our  sweetest  songsters,  and  is  supposed  by  some 
to  be  little  inferior  to  the  Nightingale  itself.  So  we  may  well  pardon 
its  occasional  depredations  on  our  garden  fruit  for  the  sake  of  it» 
melody. 

It  is  a  migratory  bird,  arriving  in  England  in  April,  and  leaving 
towards  the  end  of  August  or  the  beginning  of  September.  Almost 
every  part  of  England  is  visited  by  this  bird,  and  especially  those 
counties  where  are  thick  woods  and  plenty  of  water. 

The  color  of  this  Petti  chaps  i?  an  olive  green,  shot,  as  the  ladies 
•ay,  with  a  greyish  shading;  while  some  parts  of  the  body,  such  9* 


GARDEN   BED8TAET. 


the  sides  of  the  neck,  the  throat,  and  under  parts,  are  either  ash  grey 
or  greyish  white.  The  length  of  the  bird  is  about  six  inches. 

Its  nest  is  built  in  hedges,  and  situated  near  the  ground.  In  it  are 
laid  four  or  five  eggs,  of  a  whitish  grey  color,  spotted  with  brown, 
the  spots  being  collected  towards  the  larger  end. 

This  is  the  Beccafieo  of  the  Italians,  so  celebrated  as  a  dainty  for 
the  table. 


150 


THE   SONG-THRUSH   OR    THROSTLE. 


OF  THE  THRUSH  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

THB  Thrushes  have  the  following  generic  character:  a  straightish 
bill,  bending  towards  the  point,  and  slightly  notched  near  «he  end  of 
the  upper  mandible:  the  nostrils  oval  and  for  the  most  part  naked 
the  tongue  slightly  jagged  at  the  end;  the  corners  of  the  mouth  fur- 
nished with,  a  few  slender  hairs:  and  the  middle  toe  connected  to  the 
outer  one  as  far  as  the  first  joint. 


THE   SOXG-THRU.SH,  OK   THROSTLE. 

The  song  of  this  bird  is  heard  during  nearly  nine  months  of  the 
year.      Few  of  the  choristers  of  the  woods   are  heard  with  greater 


SONG  THKUSU. 


delight  than    this.     It  will   sometimes  sit  for  hours   together  on  the 
top  of  an  elevated  tree,  and  make  the  woods  re-echo  with  its  song. 

The  Thrush  resides  in  England  through  the  whole  year,  but  on  the 
Continent  it  disappears  during  the  frost,  and  re-appears  for  a  short  visit 
in  the  months  of  March  and  April. 


THE    MISSELTOE   THRUSH. 


151 


Their  nest«  are  built  in  woods  or  orchards,  and  not  unfrequently  in 
thick  hedges  near  the  ground.  The  outside  of  the  nest  consists  of 
fine  and  soft  moss,  interwoven  with  dried  grass  or  hay;  and  the  inside 
is  curiously  plastered  with  Cow-dung.  The  eggs  are  usually  five  or 
six  in  number,  of  a  deep  blue  color  marked  with  black  spots.  EacV 
brood,  for  a  little  while,  follows  separately  its  parents;  but  this  does 
not  long  continue,  for,  as  soon  as  the  individuals  are  capable  of  obtain- 
ing their  own  subsistence,  they  disperse. 

We  are  informed  by  M.  de  Buffon,  that  in  a  few  of  the  districts  of 
Poland  such  immense  numbers  of  Thrushes  are  sometimes  caught, 
that  the  inhabitants  load  small  vessels  with  them  for  exportation. 
The  Kedwing  is  a  variety  of  the  Thrush. 


THB   MISSEL,    OR   MISSELTOB  THRUSH,   OR   STORMCOCK. 

The  Missel,  or  Missel  toe  Thrush,  or  Stormcock,  according  to 
Waterton,  u  surpasses  all 
other  Thrushes  in  size, 
and  is  decidedly  the 
largest  songster  of  the 
European  birds.  He 
remains  with  us  the 
whole  of  the  year,  and 
he  is  one  of  three  birds 
which  charm  us  with 
their  melody  during  the 
dreary  winter,  when  the 
Throstle  and  Lark  are 
silent  and  all  the  migra- 
tory birds  have  left  us,  to 
sojourn  in  warmer  clim- 
ates, lie  appears  to  be 
gregarious  in  the  months 

of  August  and  September."  "This  bird,  though  usually  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Misseltoe  Thrush  in  many  parts  of  England,  is  invariably 
called  the  Stormcock  by  all  the  lower  orders  in  our  neighborhood: 
not  that  it  delights  in  storms  more  than  in  fine  weather;  but  that 
nature  has  taught  it  to  pour  forth  its  melody  at  a  time  of  the  year 
when  the  bleak  winds  of  winter  roar  through  the  leafless  trees. 

It  is  very  fond  of  the  berries  of  the  misseltoe,  but  when  they  fail 
it  turns  its  attention,  to  those  of  the  mountain  ash,  which  are  almost 
certain  to  attract  this  beautiful  and  powerful  songster.  In  the  sum- 
mer it  devours  all  kinds  of  garden-fruits,  especially  cherries  and 
raspberries. 

During  the  breeding  season  it  is  very  pugnacious,  attacking  and 
driving  away  not  only  small  birds,  but  the  Crow,  the  Magpie,  or  even 
the  prowling  Cat.  The  nest  is  very  large,  almost  as  large  as  a  "  wide- 
awake" hat,  is  always  built  in  a  tree,  and  contains  about  five  reddish 
•potted  eggs.  The  length  of  the  bird  is  eleven  inches. 


MI88BLTOK-THBU8H. 


152 


THE   BLACKBIRD. 


BLACK.BIUDS. 

THE   BLACKBIRD. 

The  food  of  the  Blackbird  consists  principally  of  Worms  and  shelled 
Snails ;  the  latter  of  which,  in  order  to  get  at  the  animal,  it  dashes  with 
great  dexterity  against  the  stones.  All  kinds  of  insects,  as  well  as  fruit, 
it  also  eagerly  seeks  after.  In  confinement  it  will  eat  crumbs  of  bread  ; 
and  even  flesh,  either  raw  or  cooked. 

This  is  a  solitary  bird  :  never  congregating,  and  in  general  preferring 
woods  and  retired  situations. 

Blackbirds  breed  early  in  the  spring.  They  prepare  a  nest  composed 
externally  of  green  moss,  fibrous  roots,  and  other  similar  materials:  the 
inside  is  plastered  with  earth,  and  afterwards  lined  with  fine  dry  grass. 
The  nest  is  usually  placed  in  a  thick  bush,  against  the  side  of  a  tree,  or 
on  a  stump  in  the  side  of  a  bank.  The  female  lays  four  or  five  light- 
blue  eggs,  thickly  covered  with  pale  rust-colored  spots,  particularly  at 
the  large  end. 

When  the  young  ones  are  taken  from  the  nest,  they  should  for 


THE   COW    BLACKBIRD. 


153 


some  time  be  fed  on  raw  meat,  bread,  and  bruised  hempseed :  the  meat 
ahould  be  chopped  small,  the  bread  a  little  wetted,  and  then  the  whole 
mixed  together.  It  is  necessary  to  keeu  them  clean. 


THE   BED- WINGED    BLACK  BIRD,    OR   TBOOPIAL. 

The  Red-winged  Blackbird  in  summer  inhabits  the  whole  of  North 
America  from 
Nova  Scotia  to 
Mexico.  It  is  mi- 
gratory north  of 
Maryland,  but 
passes  the  winter 
and  summer  in  all 
the  southern 
States,  frequenting 
chiefly  the  settle- 
ments and  rice  and 
cornfields,  towards 
the  sea-coast, 
where  they  move 
about  like  blacken- 
ing clouds,  rising 
suddenly  at  times 
with  a  noise  like 
thunder,  and  exhibiting  amidst  the  broad  shadows  of  their  funereal 
plumage,  the  bright  flashing  of  the  vermilion  with  which  their  wings 
are  so  singularly  decorated.  After  whirling  and  waving  a  little 
distance,  like  the  Starling,  they  descend  as  a  torrent,  and  darkening 
the  branches  of  the  trees  by  their  numbers,  they  commence  a  general 
concert  that  may  be  heard  for  more  than  two  miles. 

When  their  food  begins  to  fail  in  the  fields,  they  assemble  with 
the  Purple  Grakles,  very  familiarly  around  the  corn-cribs  and  in  the 
barn-yards,  greedily  and  dexterously  gleaning  up  every  thing  within 
their  reach.  In  the  month  of  March,  Mr.  Bullock  found  them  very 
numerous  and  bold  near  the  city  of  Mexico. 


RED-WINGED   BLACKBIRD. 


THE   COW  TROOPIAL,    OR   COW   BLACK-BIRD. 

The  Cow-pen  Bird,  perpetually  gregarious  and  flitting,  is  observed 
to  enter  the  Middle  and  Northern  States  in  the  latter  end  of  March 
or  the  beginning  of  April.  They  make  their  migration  now  chiefly 
under  cover  of  the  night,  or  early  dawn;  and  as  the  season  becomes 
milder  they  pass  on  to  Canada,  and  perhaps  follow  the  Warblers  and 
other  small  birds  into  the  farthest  regions  of  the  north,  for  they  are 
aeen  no  more  after  the  middle  of  June,  until  the  return  of  autumn, 
when,  with  the  colds  of  October,  they  again  reappear  in  numerous 
and  augmented  flocks,  usually  associated  with  their  kindred  Red- 


154  THE    RICE    BIRD,    OR    BOB-O-LINK. 

wings,  to  whom  they  bear  a  sensible  likeness,  as  well  as  a  similarity 
in  notes  and  manners.  When  on  the  ground,  they  scratch  up  the  soil 
and  appear  very  intent  after  their  food.  Sometimes  even,  infringing 
on  the  rights  of  the  Plover,  individuals  in  the  winter,  frequent  the 
margins  of  ponds  in  quest  of  aquatic  insects  and  small  Shell-fish;  ani 
they  may  be  seen  industriously  occupied  in  turning  over  the  leaves 
of  the  water-plants  to  which  they  adhere.  They  also  frequent  occa- 
sionally the  rice  and  corn-fields,  as  well  as  their  more  notorious* 
associates,  but  are  more  inclined  to  native  food  and  insects  at  all 
times,  so  that  they  are  more  independent  and  less  injurious  to  the 
farmer.  As  they  exist  in  Mexico,  and  California,  it  is  probable,  that 
they  are  also  bred  in  the  higher  table  lands,  as  well  as  in  the  regions 
of  the  north.  In  Louisiana,  however,  according  to  Audubon,  they 
are  rare  visitors  at  any  season,  scenting  more  inclined  to  follow  their 
route  through  the  maritime  districts.  Over  these  countries,  high  in 
the  air,  in  the  month  of  October,  they  are  seen  by  day  winging  their 
way  to  the  remoter  regions  of  the  south. 


THE   RICE   BIRD,   OR  BOB-O-LINK. 

The  whole  continent  of  America,  from  Labrador  to  Mexico,  and 
the  great  Antilles,  are  the  occasional  residence  of  this  truly  migratory 
species.  About  the  middle  of  March,  or  beginning  of  April,  the 
cheerful  Bob-o-link  makes  his  appearance  in  the  southern  extremity 
of  the  United  States,  becoming  gradually  arrayed  in  his  nuptial  livery, 
and  accompanied  by  troops  of  his  companions,  who  often  precede  the 
arrival  of  their  more  tardy  mates.  According  to  Richardson  it  is  the 
beginning  of  June  when  they  arrive  at  their  farthest  boreal  station 
in  the  fifty -forth  degree.  We  observed  them  in  the  great  western 
plains  to  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  but  not  in  Oregon.  Their 
wintering  resort  appears  to  be  rather  the  West  Indies  than  the  tropical 
continent,  as  their  migrations  are  observed  to  take  place  generally  to« 
the  east  of  Louisiana,  where  their  visits  are  rare  and  irregular.  At 
this  season  also  they  make  their  approaches  chiefly  by  night,  obeying, 
as  it  were,  more  distinctly,  the  mandates  of  an  overruling  instinct, 
which  prompts  them  to  seek  out  their  natal  regions;  while  in  autumn, 
their  progress,  by  day  only,  is  alone  instigated  by  the  natural  quest  of 
ibo.l.  About  the  1st  of  May  the  meadows  of  Massachusetts  begin  to 
re -echo  their  lively  ditty.  At  this  season,  in  wet  places,  and  by  newly 
ploughed  fields  they  destroy  many  insects  and  their  larva?.  According  to 
their  success  in  obtaining  food,  parties  bften  delay  their  final  northern 
movement  as  late  as  the  middle  of  May,  so  that  they  appear  to  be  in  no 
haste  to  arrive  at  their  destination  at  any  exact  period.  The  principal 
business  of  their  lives,  however,  the  rearing  of  their  young,  does  not 
take  place  until  they  have  left  the  parallel  of  the  fortieth  degree.  The 
nests  of  these  birds  are  built  of  grass,  and  placed  sometimes  on  the  sum- 
mit of  a  tree,  sometimes  among  the  creeping  plants  that  cover  its  trunk  ; 
those  in  the  trees  are  larger  and  shaped  more  regular  than  the  others.  In 


THE    RICE   BIRD. 


155* 


SHOOTING   RICE   BIRDS. 


the  savannahs  of  Ohio  aiid  Michigan,  and  the  cool  grassy  meadows  of  New 
York,  Canada,  and  New  England,  they  fix  their  abode,  and  obtain  a  suf- 
ficiency of  food  throughout  the  summer,  without  molesting  the  harvest  of 
the  farmer,  until  the  ripening  of  the  latest  crops  of  oats  and  barley,  when 


156 


THE   COMMON   CROW-BLACKBIRD. 


in  their  a^^mnal  and  changed  dress,  hardly  now  known  as  the 
same  spec.oa,  they  sometimes  show  their  taste  for  plunder,  and  flock 
together  like  the  greedy  and  predatory  Blackbirds. 


THE   COMMON   CROW-BLACKBIRD. 

This  very  common  bird  is  an  occasional  or  constant  resident  in 
every  part  of  America,  from  Hudson's  Bay  and  the  northern  interior 
to  the  great  Antilles,  within  the  tropic.  In  most  parts  of  this  wide 
region  they  also  breed,  at  least  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Louisiana,  and 
probably  farther  south.  Into  the  States  north  of  Virginia  they  begin 
to  migrate  from  the  beginning  of  March  to  May,  leaving  those  coun- 
tries again  in  numerous  troops  about  the  middle  of  November.  Thus 
assembled  from  the  north  and  west  in  increasing  numbers,  they 
wholly  overrun,  at  times,  the  warmer  maritime  regions,  where  they 
assemble  to  pass  the  winter  in  the  company  of  their  well  known 
cousins  the  Red- winged  Troopials  or  Blackbirds;  for  both,  impelled 
by  the  same  predatory  appetite,  and  love  of  comfortable  winter  quar- 
ters, are  often 
thus  accident- 
ally associated 
in  the  plun- 
dering and 
gleaning  of 
the  planta- 
tions. The 
amazing  num- 
bers in  which 
the  present 
species  associ- 
ate are  almost 
incredible. 
Wilson  relates 
that  on  the 
20th  of  Janu- 
ary, a  few 
miles  from  the 
banks  of  the 
Roanoke  in 

Virginia,  he  met  with  one  of  those  prodigious  armies  of  Blackbirds, 
vhich,  as  he  approached,  rose  from  the  surrounding  fields  with  a 
noise  like  thunder,  and  descending  on  the  stretch  of  road  before  him, 
covered  it  and  the  fences  completely  with  black;  rising  again,  after  a 
few  evolutions,  they  descended  on  the  skirt  of  a  leafless  wood,  so  thick 
as  to  give  the  whole  forest,  for  a  considerable  extent  the  appearance 
.of  being  shrouded  in  mourning,  the  numbers  amounting  probably  to 
many  hundreds  of  thousands.  Their  notes  and  screams  resembled 
the  distant  sound  of  a  mighty  cataract,  but  strangely  attuned  into  a 


CKOW    !!!,  VCKIUK.il. 


THE    MOCKING    BIRD.  157 

musical  cadence,  which  rose  and  fell  with  the  fluctuation  of  the  breeze, 
like  the  magic  harp  of  ^Eolus. 

Their  depredations  on  the  maize  crop  or  Indian  e«>ni  commence 
almost  with  the  planting.  The  infant  blades  no  sooner  appear  than 
»,hey  are  hailed  by  the  greedy  Blackbird  as  the  signal  for  a  feast; 
and,  without  hesitation,  they  descend  on  the  fields,  and  regale  them- 
selves with  the  sweet  and  sprouted  seed,  rejecting  and  scattering  the 
blades  around  as  an  evidence  of  their  mischief  and  audacity.  Again, 
about  the  beginning  of  August,  while  the  grain  is  in  the  milky  state, 
their  attaeks  are  renewed  with  the  most  destructive  effect,  as  they 
now  assemble  as  it  were  in  clouds,  and  pillage  the  fields  to  sueh  a 
decree  that  in  some  low  and  sheltered  situations,  in  the  vicinity  of 
rivers,  where  they  delight  to  roam,  one  fourth  of  the  crop  is  devoured 
by  these  vexatious  visitors.  The  gun,  also,  notwithstanding  the  havoc 
it  produces,  has  little  more  effect  than  to  chase  them  from  one  part 
of  the  field  to  the  other.  In  the  Southern  States,  in  winter,  they 
hover  round  the  corn-cribs  in  swarms,  and  boldly  peck  the  hard 
grain  from  the  cob  through  the  air  openings  of  the  magazine.  In 
consequence  of  these  reiterated  depredations  they  are  detested  by 
the  farmer  as  a  pest  to  his  industry;  though,  on  their  arrival  their 
food  for  a  long  time  consists  wholly  of  those  insects  which  are  calcu- 
lated to  do  the  most  essential  injury  to  the  crops. 


THE    MOCKING   BIRD,  OR   MIMIC  THRUSH. 

This  bird  is  about  the  size  of  a  Blackbird,  but,  in  its  general  form, 
is  somewhat    more    slender.     Its    plumage  is 
gray,  paler  on  the  under  parts  of  the  body 
than  above. 

This  capricious  little  mimic  is  common 
throughout  nearly  the  whole  of  North  Amer- 
ica, as  well  as  in  several  of  the  West  Indian 
Islands.  It  cannot,  indeed,  vie  with  tlie 
feathered  inhabitants  of  those  countries  in 
brilliancy  of  plumage ;  but  it  is  contented 
with  much  more  rare  and  estimable  qualifica-  MOCKING  BIRD. 

tions.     It  possesses  not  only  natural  notes  of 

its  own,  which  are  truly  musical  and  solemn ;  but  it  can  at  pleasure 
assume  the  tone  of  every  other  animal  in  the  forest,  from  the  Humming- 
bird to  the  Eagle,  and  descending  even  to  the  Wolf  or  the  Raven. 
One  of  them,  confined  in  a  cage,  has  been  heard  to  mimic  the  mewing 
<?f  a  Cat,  the  chattering  of  a  Magpie,  and  the  creaking  of  the  hinges  o? 
a  sign -post  in  high  winds. 

The  Mocking  Bird  seems  to  have  a  pleasure  in  leading  other  birds 
astray.  He  is  said  at  one  time  to  allure  the  smaller  birds  with  the 
call  of  their  mates ;  and  when  they  come  near,  to  terrify  them  with  the 
scream  of  an  Eagle.  There  is  scarcely  a  bird  of  the  forest  that  is  not 
at  times  deceived  by  his  call. 

But  he  is  not  like  the  mimics  among  mankind,  who  seldom  possess 


158 


THE    MOCKING    BIRD. 


MOCKING  BIRD. 


any  independent   merit.     A  Garrick  and  a  Foote  have  not  pleased 
more  in  their  own  characters,  than  the  Mocking  Bird  does  in  his.    He 

is  the  only  one  of  the 
American  singing- 
birds  that  can  be  com- 
pared with  those  of 
Europe  ;  and,  were  it 
not  for  the  attention 
that  he  pays  to  every 
sort  of  disagreeable 
noise,  which  tends  to 
debase  his  best  notes, 
there  can  be  little 
doubt  that  he  would 
be  fully  equal  to  ihe 
song  of  the  Night- 
ingale in  its  whole 
compass.  He  fre- 
quents the  dwellings 
of  the  American 
farmers;  wherer 
sitting  on  the  roof  or 
chimney,  he  sometimes  pours  forth  the  most  sweet  and  varied  notes 
imaginable.  The  Mexicans,  on  account  of  his  various  notes  and  his 
imitative  powers,  call  him,  "The  Bird  of  Four  Hundred  Tongues." 
In  the  warmer  parts  of  America  he  sings  incessantly  from  March  to 
August,  both  day  and  night :  beginning  with  his  own  compositionsr 
and  frequently  finishing  by  borrowing  from  those  of  the  whole 
feathered  choir.  He  repeats  his  tunes  with  such  artful  sweetness  as 
to  excite  both  pleasure  and  surprise. 

It  is  not,  however,  in  the  powers  of  voice  alone  that  these  birds  are 
pleasing ;  they  may  even  be  said  to  dance.  When  excited  into  a  kind 
of  ecstacy  by  their  own  music,  they  gradually  raise  themselves  from 
the  place  where  they  stand,  and,  with  their  wings  extended,  drop  with 
their  head  down  to  the  same  spot,  and  whirl  round,  accompanying 
their  melody  with  a  variety  of  interesting  gesticulations. 

They  frequently  build  their  nests  in  bushes  or  fruit-trees,  in  the 
vicinity  of  houses ;  but  they  are  so  shy,  that  if  a  person  only  look  at 
the  nest,  they  immediately  forsake  it.  The  young-ones  may  be  brought 
up  in  a  cage,  and  rendered  domestic ;  but  this  cannot  be  done  without 
great  difficulty,  not  one  attempt  in  ten  being  successful  for  that  purpose. 
If  the  young-ones  are  caught  in  the  nest,  the  mother  will  feed  them  for 
a  few  days,  but  is  sure  to  desert  them  afterwards.  If  a  cat  happen  to- 
approach  the  nest,  the  parent  bird  will  fly  at  the  head  of  the  animal 
and,  with  a  hissing  noise,  scare  it  away. 

The  Mocking  Bird  feeds  its  young-ones  with  Grasshoppers  ;  and, 
when  it  wants  any  of  these  insects,  it  flies  into  the  pastures,  flaps  ita 
wings  near  the  ground,  and  makes  a  booty  of  three  or  four  at  a  time, 
with  which  it  returns  to  the  nest.  It  also  feeds  on  different  kinds  of 
berries ;  and  is  itself  eaten,  and  is  very  delicate  food. 


THE    MOCKING    BIRD. 


159 


He  many  times  deceives  the  sportsman,  and  sends  him  in  search  of 
birds  that  perhaps  are  not  within  miles  of  him,  but  whose  notes  he  ex- 
actly imitates ;  even  birds  themselves  are  frequently  imposed  on  by  this 
admirable  mimic,  and  are  decoyed  by  the  fancied  calls  of  their  mates, 


or  dive  with  precipitation  into  the  depth  of  thickets,  at  a  scream  of  what 
they  suppose  to  be  the  sparrow  hawk. 

As  may  readily  be  imagined,  the  sounds  imitated  by  these  remarkable 
birds  vary  according  to  the  situation  in  which  they  live ;  those  that 
occupy  woodland  districts  naturally  repeat  the  note  uttered  by  their 


160  THE   LOCUST-EATING   THRUSH. 

feathered  companions,  whilst  those  near  a  farmyard  learn  not  only  to 
imitate  the  cries  of  all  the  different  inhabitants,  but  reproduce  them  so 
perfectly  as  to  deceive  the  nicest  ear.  Thus  they  have  been  known  tr> 
summon  the  house-dog,  by  whistling  like  his  master;  drive  a  hen  to  a 
state  of  utmost  excitement,  by  constantly  screaming  out  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  lead  her  to  suppose  that  one  of  her  chicks  was  in  the  last 
H'onies;  or  to  scare  away  a  whole  flock  of  poultry  by  the  perfection 
v  ith  which  they  imitate  a  cry  of  one  of  the  many  tyrants  of  the  air. 

THE   LOCUST-BATING  THRUSH. 

The  head,  breast,  and  back  of  the  Locust-eating  Thrush  are  of  a 
pale  ash-color,  and  the  abdomen  and  rump 
are  white.  The  wings  and  tail  are  black: 
the  latter  short,  and  a  little  forked.  From 
the  angle  of  the  mouth  a  naked  space  of  sul- 
phureous yellow  extends  under  the  eye,  and 
a  little  beyond  it ;  and  there  are  two  naked 
black  streaks  under  the  throat. 

To  this  new  species,  which  is  found  in  the 
interior  of  the  southern  districts  of  Africa, 
and  is  only  met  with  in  places  where  the  migrating  Locusts  frequent, 
Mr.  Barrow  has  affixed  the  specific  name  of  Gryllivvrus.  This  he  has 
done  with  great  propriety,  as,  when  such  is  to  be  obtained,  its  whole 
food  seems  to  consist  of  the  larvse  of  these  insects,  and,  except  when 
the  Locust  infests  any  particular  district,  this  bird  is  seldom  to  be 
found  there. 

Providence,  which  has  not  often  given  a  bane  without  accompany- 
ing it  with  an  antidote,  seems  to  have  peculiarly  ordained  this  bird 
as  a  relief  to  the  inhabitants  of  Africa,  from  the  dreadful  attacks  of 
these  most  voracious  and  most  numerous  of  all  insects.  But,  however 
astonishing  the  multitudes  of  Locusts  may  be,  the  numbers  of  the 
Locust-eating  Thrushes  are  not  less  so.  Their  nests,  which  at  a  dis- 
tance seem  of  enormous  size,  appear  on  examination  to  consist  of  a 
number  of  cells,  each  of  which  forms  a  separate  nest,  with  a  tube  that 
leads  into  it  through  the  side ;  so  that  what  seemed  but  one  great  nest, 
is  found  to  consist  of  a  little  republic,  of  perhaps  ten  c>r  twenty.  One 
roof  of  interwoven  twigs  covers  the  whole,  like  that  made  over  the 
nest  of  the  Magpie  of  England. 

Mr.  Barrow  saw  a  vast  number  of  these  birds  in  the  district  of 
Sneuberg,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  leagues  north-east  of  the  Cape. 
They  had  not  visited  that  colony  for  thirteen  years  before ;  that  is  to 
Bay,  since  the  last  time  the  Locusts  had  infested  it.  They  had,  how- 
ever, now  taken  up  a  temporary  abode,  in  a  place  which  they  were 
not  likely,  in  a  short  space  of  time,  to  be  under  the  necessity  of  quit- 
ting for  want  of  food.  Of  the  innumerable  multitudes  of  the  incom plete 
insects  or  larvae  of  the  Locusts,  that  at  this  time  infected  the  southern 
districts  of  Africa,  no  adequate  idea  could  possibly  be  formed ;  for,  in 
an  area  of  nearly  two  thousand  square  miles,  the  whole  surface  of  the 
earth  might  literally  be  said  to  be  covered  with  them. 


THE   CROSS-BILL.  1GL 


OF  THE   GKOSBEAKS  IN   GENERAL. 

IN  the  Grosbeaks  we  observe  a  strong,  thick,  and  convex  beak , 
rounded  from  the  base  to  the  point  of  each  mandible,  and  admirably 
adapted  for  breaking  in  pieces  the  shells  of  the  seeds  on  which  they 
feed.  The  nostrils  are  small  and  round ;  and  the  tongue  is  formed  as 
if  the  end  were  cut  off.  The  toes,  except  in  one  species,  are  placed 
three  forwards. 


THE   CROSS-BILL 

The  male  Cross-bills  are  red,  varied  with  brown  or  green ;  and  at 
certain  seasons  of  the  year  they  change  to 
deep  red,  to  orange,  or  pale  yellow.  The 
females  are  of  an  olive  green  color,  which 
they  also  change  occasionally. 

Doctor  Townson,  whilst  he  resided  at 
Gottingen,  possessed  several  Cross-bills. 
These,  by  kind  treatment,  soon  becoming 
tame,  he  suffered  to  be  at  liberty  in  his 

VCWVOO-DI.AJAM  .  —-.-  ITT  •      • 

study,     lie  had  thus  constant  opportunities 

of  observing  them,  and  as  often  of  admiring  their  docility  and 
sagacity ;  but  the  singular  structure  of  their  bills  chiefly  engaged  his 
attention. 

This  structure  M.  de  Buffon,  perhaps  unthinkingly,  and  certainly 
unjustly,  has  considered  as  one  of  Nature's  freaks,  calculated  to  render 
the  bird  much  less  essential  service  than  a  beak  in  some  other  form 
would  have  done.  But,  notwithstanding  the  apparently  awkward 
and  useless  shape  of  this  member,  it  has  been  found  to  have  the  best 
possible  adaptation  to  the  destination  and  habits  of  the  bird. 

The  two  mandibles  do  not  lie  straight ;  but  pass,  for  a  considerable 
part  of  their  length,  on  the  side  of  each  other,  like  the  blades  of  a  pair 
of  scissors.  By  means  of  this  peculiar  construction,  the  Cross-bills 
are  able  to  procure  their  food  with  the  utmost  address.  They  live 
principally  on  the  seeds  that  are  contained  in  the  cones  of  the  fir  or 
pine;  and  it  is  to  extract  these  that  this  structure  is  principally 

adapted.  In  this  operation,  they  fix 
themselves  across  the  cone,  then  bring 
the  points  of  the  beak  from  their 
crossed  or  lateral  position  to  be 
immediately  opposite  to  each  other. 
In  this  reduced  compass,  they  insin- 
uate it  between  the  scales,  and,  dis- 
tending the  two  mandibles  to  their 

usual  position  sideways,  force  the  scales  open;  and  then,  again 
bringing  the  points  into  contact,  pick  out  the  seed,  in  the  same  manner 
ta  if  their  bills  were  formed  like  those  of  other  birds.  While  in  this 


162 


THE  CROSS  BILLS. 


BANDED  CBGSSBILIfi. 


act,  they  are  so  intent  on  the  business,  as  frequently  to  suffer  them 
selves  to  be  caught  by  means  of  a  horse-hair  noose  fixed  to  a  long 
fishing-rod.  They  are  discovered  by  the  twittering  noise  they  make 
while  feeding. 

The  d agree  of  lateral  force  which  they  are  able  to  exert,  is  very 
surprising.  This,  which  they  are  at  times  fond  of  exercising  for  mere 
amusement,  renders  them,  in  a  tame  state,  not  a  little  mischievous. 
The  Cross-bills  which  Dr.  Townson  had  at  Gottingen  would  often 
come  to  his  table  while  he  was  writing,  and  carry  off  his  pencils,  little 
ship  boxes  in  which  he  occasionally  kept  insects,  and  other  similar 
objects,  and  tear  them  to  pieces  almost  instantaneously.  Their  mode 
if  operation  was  first  to  peck  a  little  hole;  to  insert  into  this  their 


THE   GREENFINCH.  163 

Dill,  aai  then  to  split  or  tear  the  object  by  the  lateral  force.  When 
he  gave  them,  as  he  often  did,  almonds  in  their  shell,  they  got  at  the 
kernel  in  the  same  manner ;  first  pecking  a  hole,  and  then  enlarging 
this  by  wrenching  off  the  pieces  by  the  lateral  force. 

Notwithstanding  the  apparent  awkwardness  of  this  beak,  the  Cross- 
bills are  able,  by  bringing  the  mandibles  point  to  point,  even  to  pick 
up  and  eat  the  smallest  seeds.  The  German  bird-catchers  usually  feed 
them  with  poppy  and  other  small  seeds;  and  they  shell  hempseeds  in 
Citing  them,  as  well  as  any  other  birds  whatever.  These  birds  breet 
in  Austria ;  building  their  hemispherical  nests  in  the  branches  of  high 
trees.  In  these  they  lay  a  few  whitish  eggs,  spotted  towards  the 
thicker  end  with  red.  They  are  somewhat  rare  in  England. 


THE  GREENFINCH. 

The  upper  parts  of  the  body  are  of  a  yellowish  green,  and  some  of 
the  lower  parts  are  white.    The  outer  quill-feathers 
are  edged  with  yellow.     The  tail  is  forked,  and 
the  four  lateral  feathers  are  yellow  at  the  base. 
The  bill  is  brownish,  and  the  legs  flesh-colored. 

Greenfinches  are  very  common  birds  in  Eng- 
land. They  build  their  nests  in  hedges,  and 
lay  five  or  six  eggs,  of  a  pale  green  color, 
marked  with  blood-colored  spots.  During  the 
breeding-time,  the  bird  that  is  not  immediately 
engaged  in  incubation  or  nutrition,  may  often  GREENFINCH. 

be  seen  sporting  on  the  wing,  in  a  pleasing  manner,  over  the  bush. 

They  are  so  easily  tamed,  as  sometimes  to  eat  out  of  the  hand  in 
five  or  ten  minutes  after  they  are  taken,  if  there  be  an  opportunity  of 
immediately  carrying  them  into  the  dark.  The  bird  should  then  be 
put  upon  the  finger,  from  which,  not  knowing  how  to  fly  in  the  dark, 
it  will  not  attempt  to  move :  the  finger  of  the  other  hand  should  after- 
wards be  put  under  its  breast,  on  which  it  will  climb.  This  must  be 
repeated  eight  or  ten  times ;  and  by  stroking  and  caressing  the  bird 
at  the  intervals,  it  will  find  that  no  injury  is  intended.  The  light 
being  then  let  in  by  degrees,  it  will  very  frequently  eat  bruised  seed 
out  of  the  hand,  and  afterwards  continue  tame. 

The  Greenfinch  inhabits  the  whole  of  Europe,  and  a  large  portion  of 
Asia,  with  the  exception  of  the  most  northerly  countries;  it  is  also  nu- 
merous in  Spain,  but  quite  unknown  in  Siberia.  Everywhere  it  is 
found  about  pasture  land,  and  such  localities  as  are  at  no  great  distance 
from  human  habitations;  it  avoids  all  thickly  wooded  places,  and  usu- 
ally lives  in  pairs  or  small  parties,  the  latter  increasing  into  large  flocks 
only  during  their  passage  from  one  country  to  another,  at  which  times 
they  associate  freely  with  many  other  small  birds  of  kindred  habits. 
The  Greenfinch  generally  selects  some  small  coppice  or  garden  for  its 
residence,  and  passes  the  entire  day  in  flitting  from  place  to  place,  air 
upon  the  ground,  whither  it  resorts  in  search  of  food.  At  night  it 
seeks  a  shelter  in  the  branches  of  some  thick  foliaged  tree. 


1G4 


THE   CARDINAL  GROSBEAK. 


THE   CARDINAL   GROSBEAK. 

The  Cardinal  Grosbeak  is  about  eight  inches  in  length.  The  bill 
ia  atout,  and  of  a  pale  red  color.  On  the  head  there  is  a  pointed 
creat  :  the  plumage  is  in  general  of  a  fine  red,  but  round  the  bill  and 

throat  it  is  black 
The  legs  are  of  the 
same  color  as  the  bill. 
This  is  an  inhabi- 
tant of  several  parts 
of  North  America. 
The  melody  of  its 
song  is  said  some- 
what to  resemble  that 
of  the  Nightingale. 
In  spring,  and  during 
great  part  of  the 
summer,  it  sits  on 
the  tops  of  the  high- 
est trees,  and  with 
its  loud  and  piercing 
notes  makes  the  for- 
ests echo. 

The  Cardinal  Gros- 
beaks  are  chiefly 
remarkable  for  laying 
up,  during  summer, 
their  winter  provi 
sion  of  maize  and 
buckwheat.  Nearly 
a  bushel  of  maize  has 
been  found  in  the 
retreat  of  one  of  these 
birds,  artfully  covered 
with  leaves  and  small 
branches  of  trees,  and 
only  a  small  hole  left 


at. 

The  Americans  frequently  keep  these  birds  in  cages  ;  where  they 
•iag,  with  a  very  short  interval  of  silence,  through  the  whole  year. 


THE  GRENADIER  GROSBEAK. 


The  Grenadier  Grosbeak  is  of  about  the  size  of  a  sparrow.  The  body 
is  in  general  of  a  beautiful  red  color.  The  forehead,  sides  of  the  head, 
chin,  breast  and  belly,  are  black.  The  wings  are  brown,  and  the  lega 
pale  brown 


THE  SOCIABLE  GROSBEAK. 


165 


THE   SOCIABLE   GROSBEAK. 

The  length  of  the  Sociable  Grosbeak  is  about  five  inches  and  a 
half.  Its  color  is 
rufus-brown  above, 
and  yellowish 
beneath.  The  bill 
and  fo  re  he  ad  are 
black,  the  region  of 
the  ears  is  yellowish, 
and  the  legs  are 
brown.  The  tail  is 
short. 

This  species  is  an 
inhabitant  of  the 
interior  country  of 
the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope. 

Few  birds  live 
together  in  such 
large  societies,  or 
have  a  mode  of  nidifi- 
cation  so  uncommon, 
as  these.  They  con- 
struct their  nests  in  a 
species  of  mimosa ; 
which  grows  to  an 
uncommon  size,  and 
seems  well  suited  to 
them,  on  account  of 
its  ample  head,  and 
strong  wide-spread- 
ing branches.  The 
tallness  and  smooth- 
ness of  its  trunk  is 
also  a  perfect  defence 
against  the  serpent  and  monkey  tribes.  The  mode  in  which  the  nests 
are  fabricated  is  highly  curious.  In  one  tree,  described  by  Mr. 
Patterson,  there  could  not  be  fewer  than  from  eight  hundred  to  a 
thousand  under  one  general  roof.  Mr.  P.  calls  it  a  roof,  because  he 
says  it  resembles  that  of  a  thatched  house;  and  projects  over  the 
entrance  of  the  nest  below,  in  a  very  singular  manner.  The  industry 
of  these  birds  "seems  almost  equal  (observes  this  traveller)  to  that  of 
the  bee.  Throughout  the  day  they  appear  to  be  busily  employed  in 
carrying  a  fine  species  of  grass ;  which  is  the  principal  material  they 
employ  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  this  extraordinary  work,  as  well 
as  for  additions  and  repairs.  Though  my  short  stay  in  the  country 
was  not  sufficient  to  satisfy  me,  by  ocular  proof,  that  they  added  to 


SOCIABLE  GROSBEAK. 


166 


THE   BULFINCH. 


their  nest  as  they  annually  increased  in  numbers ;  still,  from  the 
many  trees  which  I  have  seen  borne  down  by  the  weight,  and  others 
which  I  have  observed  with  the  boughs  completely  covered  over,  it 
would  appear  that  this  is  really  the  case.  When  the  tree,  which  ia 
the  support  of  this  aerial  city,  is  obliged  to  give  way  to  the  increase 
of  weight,  it  is  obvious  that  the  birds  are  no  longer  protected,  and  are 
under  the  necessity  of  rebuilding  in  other  trees.  One  of  these 
deserted  nests  I  had  the  curiosity  to  break  down,  for  the  purpose  of 
informing  myself  of  the  internal  structure  of  it ;  and  found  it  equally 
ingenious  with  that  of  the  external.  There  were  many  entrances; 
each  of  which  formed  a  regular  street,  with  nests  on  both  sides  about 
two  inches  distant  from  each  other.  The  grass  with  which  the  birds 
build  is  called  the  Bushman's  grass;  and  I  believe  the  seed  of  it  to  be 
their  principal  food ;  though  on  examining  their  nests,  I  found  the 
wings  and  legs  of  different  insects.  From  every  appearance,  the  nest 
which  I  dissected  had  been  inhabited  for  many  years ;  and  some 
parts  of  it  were  much  more  complete  than  others.  This,  therefore,  I 
conceive  to  amount  nearly  to  a  proof,  that  the  animals  added  to  it  at 
different  times,  as  they  found  necessary,  from  the  increase  of  their 
family,  or  rather  of  the  nation  or  community." 


THE   BULFINCH. 

In  a  state  of  nature  the  Bulfinch  has  but  three  cries,  all  of  which  are 

unpleasant :  but  if 
instructed  methodi- 
cally, and  accustomed 
to  finer,  mellower, 
and  more  lengthened 
strains,  it  will  listen 
with  attention ;  and 
the  docile  bird, 
whether  male  or 
female,  without  relin- 
quishing its  native 
airs,  will  imitate 
exactly,  and  some- 
times even  surpass, 
its  master.  "  I  know 
a  curious  person, 
(says  the  author  of 
the  jffidonolgie,)  who 
having  whistled 
some  airs  quite  plain 
to  a  Bulfinch,  was 
agreeably  surprised 
to  hear  the  bird  adcl 
such  graceful  turns, 
tbat  the  master  could 


Tlit    LUA.KNCU. 


THE    BUNTING    TRIBE — WIIIDAII    BIRD.  167 

scarcely  recognise  his  own  music,  and  acknowledged  that  the  scholar 
excelled  him."  It  must,  however,  be  confessed  that,  if  the  Bulfinch 
be  ill-directed,  it  acquires  harsh  strains.  A  friend  of  M.  de  Buftbn 
saw  one  that  had  never  heard  any  persons  whistle  but  carters;  and  it 
whistled  like  them,  with  the  same  strength  and  coarseness.  The  Bul- 
finch also  easily  learns  to  articulate  words  and  sentences;  and  utters 
them  with  so  tender  an  accent,  that  we  might  almost  suppose  it  felt 
their  force. 

These  birds  are  susceptible  of  personal  attachment,  which  is  often 
strong  and  durable.  Some  have  been  known,  after  escaping  from 
confinement  and  living  a  whole  year  in  the  woods,  to  recognise  the 
voice  of  their  mistress,  and  return  to  her.  Others  have  died  of 
melancholy,  on  being  removed  from  the  first  object  of  their  attach 
rnent.  They  will  also  remember  injuries  received :  a  Bulfinch  that 
had  been  thrown  to  the  ground  in  its  cage  by  some  of  the  rabble, 
though  it  did  not  appear  much  affected  at  the  time,  fell  into  convul- 
sions ever  afterwards  at  the  sight  of  any  mean-looking  person,  and 
expired  in  one  of  these  fits,  eight  months  after  the  accident. 

Bulfinckes  are  not  uncommon  in  England:  they  construct  their 
nests  in  bushes,  about  the  middle  of  May.  These  are  usually  built  in 
orchards,  woods,  or  parks,  where  the  trees  are  numerous.  The  nest 
of  the  Bulfinch  is  a  fabric  apparently  constructed  with  little  art ;  but 
it  so  nearly  resembles  the  color  of  the  surrounding  foliage,  as  not 
easily  to  be  discovered.  The  female  lays  four  or  five  eggs,  of  a  bluish 
color,  marked  at  the  larger  end  with  dark  brown  and  faintly  reddish 
spots. 

In  the  summer-time  these  birds  chiefly  frequent  woods  and  retired 
places;  but  in  winter  they  approach  gardens  and  orchards.  Here 
as  soon  as  the  vegetation  commences,  they  make  great  havoc  among 
the  buds  of  the  trees. 


THE  BUNTING  TRIBE. 

THESE  birds  have  a  conical  bill,  and  the  sides  of  each  mandible 
Lending  inward.  On  the  roof  of  the  upper  mandible  is  a  hard  knob, 
used  for  the  breaking  of  hard  seeds. 


THE  WHIDAH  BIRD. 

In  its  summer  plumage  the  neck  of  the  Whidah  Bird  has,  at  the 
back,  a  broad  semi-collar,  of  orange  yellow  color.  The  breast  is  red- 
dish, the  under  parts  of  the  body  and  the  thighs  are  white ;  and  the 
neck,  the  back,  the  wings,  and  tail,  are  black.  In  the  tail  there  are 
four  feathers  much  longer  than  the  others  :  of  these,  two  are  about 
thirteen  inches  in  length,  and  are  bent  somewhat  like  those  of  a  cock  • 


168  THE   TTHIDAH   BIRD. 

the  other  two  are  shorter,  considerably  broader,  and  each  terminate 
in  a  slender  thread. 

Pne  winter  plumage  is  entirely  different  from  the  above.  The  four 
long  tail-feathers  fall  off:  the  head  is  varied  with  black  and  white: 
the  breast  is  black ;  and  the  upper  wing  coverts  are  dirty  yellow. 
The  feathers  of  the  tail  and  wings  are  dark  brown ;  and  those  of  the 
under  part  of  the  body  are  white. 

In  the  kingdom  of  Angola,  on  the  western  coast  of  Africa,  and  in 
the  country  around  Mosambique,  on  the  eastern  coast  of  that  quarter 
of  the  world,  these  birds  are  found  in  great  numbers.  They  are  some- 
what larger  than  a  Sparrow,  and  subsist  on  seeds  of  various  kinds. 

It  is  a  remarkable  fact,  that  the  Whidah  Birds  have  in  winter  a 
plumage  entirely  different  from  that  by  which  they  are  distinguished 
d  uring  the  summer ;  and  that  even  their  most  characteristic  feathers 
are  every  year  shed,  without  being  renewed  for  several  months.  When 
the  birds  are  brought  into  northern  climates,  this  change  generally 
takes  place  about  the  beginning  of  November.  Their  winter  plumage 
continues  till  the  spring ;  and  the  tail-feathers  are  not  again  completed 
till  the  end  of  June  or  the  beginning  of  July.  The  color  of  the  beak 
and  legs,  the  former  blackish  and  the  latter  flesh- colored,  is  perma- 
nent. 

In  the  month  of  May,  1820,  Mr.  Carlisle  favored  me  with  the  fol- 
lowing account  of  a  bird  of  this  species,  which  I  have  often  seen  in 
his  possession  :  "  The  habits  and  manners  of  my  Whidah  Bird  have 
proved  both  entertaining  and  instructive.  It  has  been  my  constant 
companion  for  more  than  five  years,  and  our  mutual  good  understand- 
ing has  increased  every  day.  As  an  intelligent  creature,  it  readily 
distinguishes  me  from  other  persons,  and  never  fails  to  show  its 
preferable  attachment,  by  a  little  note  and  by  fluttering  towards  the 
nearest  side  of  the  cage,  on  my  entering  and  leaving  the  room. 
When  clad  in  its  black  and  orange  plumage,  and  ornamented  with  its 
long  and  crested  tail-feathers,  it  sings  much  like  the  warble  of  the 
House-Swallow,  and,  during  its  song,  it  shakes  its  head  rapidly  side- 
ways, looking  steadily  at  me  as  if  to  attract  my  regard.  It  then,  as  if 
in  a  state  of  ecstacy,  jumps  quickly  from  perch  to  perch,  rattling  its 
tail  with  a  noise  somewhat  resembling  that  which  is  made  by  the 
Rattlesnake.  When  it  wants  fresh  water,  sand,  or  food,  it  taps  quickly 
with  its  beak  against  the  cage,  until  it  attracts  my  notice.  Its  only 
food  is  canary-seed.  I  have  observed  that,  on  first  uncovering  its  cage 
it  begins  to  stretch  out  its  legs  and  wings,  then  it  hops  down  to  sip 
water,  afterwards  it  eats  for  about  half  an  hour,  picks  some  sand,  and 
then  carefully  prunes  its  feathers.  In  its  ordinary  plumage  this  bird 
nearly  resembles  the  Reed-Sparrow ;  and  so  complete  is  its  change, 
that  not  one  of  the  former  feathers,  remain  after  either  of  the  two 
moultings.  These  moultings  take  place  half  yearly,  and  the  shedding 
of  its  principal  tail-feathers,  has  been;  for  five  autumns,  within  three 
days  of  the  same  date  in  each  year. 

uAs  the  claws  of  confined  birds  grow  inconveniently  long,  I  have 
generally  found  it  expedient  to  clip  those  of  my  bird  twice  a  year, 
and  this  process  was  at  first  attended  with  anger;  but  lately  tho 


THE   LINNET.  169 

occasion  is  remembered,  the  bird  quitely  suffers  itself  to  be  caught, 
and  lies  patiently  in  my  hand  until  the  operation  is  over.  During 
this  operation  it  sometimes  eats  sugar  out  of  my  mouth ;  and  when 
so  indulged,  it  forgets  its  position  so  far  as  to  sinej  a  few  notes." 

OF  THE  FINCH  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  Finches  are  easily  distinguished  from  other  birds,  by  their 
having  a  bill  very  conical  and  sharp  pointed,  and  somewhat  slender 
towards  the  end.  They  are  a  numerous  and  active  race,  dispersed 
widely  over  the  world,  and  feeding  principally  on  insects  and  grain. 


THE    LINNET. 

The  length  of  the  Linnet  is  about  five  and  a  half  inches.  The  bill  is 
bluish  grey.  The  eyes  are  hazel :  the  head  and  back  are  of  a  dark 
reddish  brown,  the  breast  is  of  a  deeper  color,  and  m  spring  changes  to 
a  beautiful  crimson ;  the  quills  are  dusky,  edged  with  white;  the  tail  is 
brown,  and  with  white  edges. 


Fur  the  sweetness  of  its  song  the  Linnet  is  much  admired:  its  notes 
are  considered  little  inferior  to  those  of  the  most  musical  of  our  birds. 
The  Linnet  may  also  easily  be  taught  to  imitate  the  song  of  any  other 
bird,  if  brought  up  with  it  from  the  nest. 

Linnets  have  young-ones  about  the  month  of  May.  They  usually 
form  their  nest  in  a  thick  bush  or  hedge.  This  is  small :  the  outside 
is  composed  of  bents,  dried  weeds,  and  straw;  and  the  inside  of  horse- 
hairs, and  wool  or  cotton,  mixed  with  downy  materials  collected  from 


170  THE   COMMON    SPARROW 

dried  plants.     The  female  lays  four  or  five  white  eggs,  speckled  pai 
ticularly  towards  the  large  end,  with  red. 

The  season  in  which  the  bird-catchers  usually  take  these  birds,  ia 
during  the  months  of  June,  July  or  August,  or  about  Michaelmas. 
They  employ  for  this  purpose  limed  twigs  or  clap-nets.  If,  when 
caught,  they  be  put  into  store-cages,  and  fed  on  any  favorite  seed  for 
two  or  three  days,  they  will  soon  become  tame.  After  this  they  may 
be  put  into  separate  cages,  and  fed  with  rape  or  canary-seed.  If  it 
be  intended  that  the  Linnet  should  imitate  the  notes  of  any  other 
bird,  it  ought  to  be  taken  from  the  nest  when  about  ten  days  old. 


THE   COMMON  SPARROW. 

No  bird  is  better  known  in  every  part  of  Great  Britain  than  tbe 
Sparrow.  It  is  a  very  familiar  bird, 
but  so  crafty  as  not  to  be  easily  taken 
in  snares.  In  a  wild  state  its  note 
is  only  a  chirp:  this  arises,  however, 
not  from  want  of  powers,  but  from  its 
attending  solely  to  the  note  of  the 
parent  birds.  A  Sparrow,  when 
fledged,  was  taken  from  the  nest,  and 
educated  under  a  Linnet ;  it  also 
heard,  by  accident,  a  Goldfinch ;  and 
its  song  was,  in  consequence,  a  mix- 
ture of  the  two. 

Few  birds  are  more  execrated  by  the 
farmers,  and  perhaps  more  unjustly 
so,  than  Sparrows.  It  is  true,  they 
do  some  injury  in  devouring  corn; 
but  they  are  probably  more  useful 
than  noxious.  Mr.  Bradley,  in  his  General  Treatise  on  Husbandry  and 
Gardening,  shows,  that  a  pair  of  Sparrows,  during  the  time  they  have 
their  young-ones  to  feed,  destroy  on  an  average,  every  weeky  about 
three  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty  Caterpillars.  This  calcula- 
tion he  founded  upon  actual  observation.  He  discovered  that  the 
two  parents  carried  to  the  nest  forty  Caterpillars  in  an  hour.  He 
supposed  the  Sparrows  to  enter  the  nest  only  during  twelve  hours 
each  day,  which  would  cause  a  daily  consumption  of  four  hundred 
and  eighty  Caterpillars;  and  this  average  gives  three  thousand  tbree 
hundred  and  sixty  Caterpillars  extirpated  weekly  from  a  garden. 
But  the  utility  of  these  birds  is  not  limited  to  this  circumstance 
alone;  for  they  likewise  feed  their  young-ones  with  Butterflies  and 
other  winged  insects,  each  of  which,  if  not  destroyed,  would  be  the 
parent  of  hundreds  of  Caterpillars. 

Sparrows  build  early  in  the  spring ;  and  generally  form  their  nesta 
under  the  eaves  of  houses,  or  in  holes  in  the  walls.  But  when  such 
convenient  situations  are  not  to  be  had,  they  build  in  trees  a  nest 
bigger  than  a  man's  head,  with  an  opening  at  the  side.  It  is  formed 


THE   COMMON    SPARROW. 


THE    COMMOX   SPARROTV.  171 

of  straw  and  hay,  and  lined  with  feathers,  and  so  nicely  managed  as 
to  be  a  defence  against  both  wind  and  rain.  Sparrows  sometimes  form 
their  nest  in  the  bottoms  of  Books'  nests ;  and  this  seems  a  favorite 
situation  with  them. 

Mr.  Smellie  relates  a  pleasing  anecdote  of  the  affection  of  these 
birds  towards  their  offspring: — "When  I  was  a  boy,  (says  this  gentle- 
man,) I  carried  off  a  nest  of  young  Sparrows,  about  a  mile  from  my 
place  of  residence.  After  the  nest  was  completely  moved,  and  while 
I  was  marching  home  with  them  in  triumph,  I  perceived,  with  some 
degree  of  astonishment,  both  the  parents  following  me  at  some 
distance,  and  observing  my  motions  in  perfect  silence.  A  thought 
then  struck  me,  that  they  might  follow  me  home,  and  feed  the  young 
according  to  their  usual  manner.  When  just  entering  the  door  I 
held  up  the  nest,  and  made  the  young-ones  utter  the  cry  which  is 
expressive  of  the  desire  of  food.  I  immediately  put  the  nest  and  the 
young  in  the  corner  of  a  wire  cage,  and  placed  it  on  the  outside  of  a 
window.  I  chose  a  situation  in  the  room  where  I  could  perceive  all 
that  should  happen,  without  being  myself  seen.  The  young  birds 
soon  cried  for  food.  In  a  short  time  both  parents,  having  their  bills 
filled  with  small  Caterpillars,  came  to  the  cage;  and  after  chatting  a 
little,  as  we  would  do  with  a  friend  through  the  lattice  of  a  prison, 
gave  a  small  worm  to  each.  This  parental  intercourse  continued  regu- 
larly for  some  time;  till  the  young-ones  were  completely  fledged,  and 
had  acquired  a  considerable  degree  of  strength.  I  then  took  one  of 
the  strongest  of  them,  and  placed  him  on  the  outside  of  the  cage,  in 
order  to  observe  the  conduct  of  the  parents  after  one  of  their  offspring 
was  emancipated.  In  a  few  minutes  both  parents  arrived,  loaded,  as 
usual,  with  food.  They  no  sooner  perceived  that  one  of  their  children 
had  escaped  from  prison,  than  they  fluttered  about,  and  made  a  thou- 
sand noisy  demonstrations  of  joy,  both  with  their  wings  and  their 
voices.  These  tumultuous  expressions  of  unexpected  happiness  at 
last  gave  place  to  a  more  calm  and  soothing  conversation.  By  their 
voices  and  their  movements  it  was  evident  that  they  earnestly  en- 
treated him  to  follow  them,  and  to  fly  from  his  present  dangerous 
state.  He  seemed  to  be  impatient  to  obey  their  mandates;  but  by  his 
gestures,  and  the  feeble  sounds  he  uttered,  he  plainly  expressed  that 
he  was  afraid  to  try  an  exertion  he  had  never  before  attempted. 
They,  however,  incessantly  repeated  their  solicitations:  by  flying 
alternately  from  the  cage  to  a  neighboring  chimney-top,  they  endeav- 
ored to  show  him  how  easily  the  journey  was  to  be  accomplished. 
He  at  last  committed  himself  to  the  air,  and  alighted  in  safety.  On 
his  arrival,  another  scene  of  clamorous  and  active  joy  was  exhibited. 
Next  day  I  repeated  the  same  experiment,  by  exposing  another  of 
the  young-ones  on  the  top  of  the  cage.  I  observed  the  same  conduct 
with  the  remainder  of  the  brood,  which  consisted  of  four.  I  need 
hardly  add,  that  not  one  either  of  the  parents  or  children  ever  after- 
wards re- visited  the  execrated  ca^e." 

The  sparrow  will  attach  itself  to  man,  but  never  sufficiently  so  to 
overlook  the  precaution  necessary  for  its  safety ;  it  is  ever  upon  its  guard, 
and  the  least  excitement  will  alarm  and  cause  its  instant  flight. 


172 


THE    SONG-SPARROW — GOLDFINCH. 


THE  SONG-SPARROW. 

THIS  familiar  and  almost  domestic  bird  is  one  of  the  most  common 
and  numerous 
Sparrows  in  the 
United  States ; 
it  is,  also,  with 
the  Blue-bird, 
which  it  seems 
to  accompany, 
one  of  the  two 
earliest,  sweet- 
est, and  most 
enduring  war- 
blers. Though 
many  pass  on 
to  the  Southern, 
States  at  the 
commencement 
of  winter,  yet  a 

few  seem  to  brave  the  colds  of  New  England,  as  long  as  the  snowy 
waste  does  not  conceal  their  last  resource  of  nutriment.  When  the 
inundating  storm  at  length  arrives,  they  no  longer,  in  the  sheltering 
swamps,  and  borders  of  bushy  streams,  spend  their  time  in  gleaning 
an  insufficient  subsistence,  but  in  the  month  of  November,  begin  to 
retire  to  the  warmer  States  ;  and  here,  on  fine  days,  even  in  January, 
whisper  forth  their  usual  strains.  As  early  as  the  4th  of  March,  the 
weather  being  mild,  the  Song-Sparrow  and  the  Blue-Bird  here  jointly 
arrive,  and  cheer  the  yet  dreary  face  of  nature  with  their  familiar 
songs.  The  latter  flits  restlessly  through  the  orchard  or  neighboring 
fields;  the  Sparrow,  more  social,  frequents  the  garden,  barn-yard,  or 
road-side  in  quest  of  support,  and  from  the  top  of  some  humble  bush, 
stake,  or  taller  bough,  tunes  forth  his  cheering  lay,  in  frequent  repeti- 
tions, for  half  an  hour  or  more  at  a  time.  These  notes  have  some 
resemblance  to  parts  of  the  Canary's  song,  and  are  almost  uninter- 
ruptedly and  daily  delivered,  from  his  coming  to  the  commencement 
%f  winter. 


SI'ARIUAV    !• 


THE   GOLDFINCH. 

Goldfinches  are  very  beautiful  and  well-known  birds,  much  esteemed 
for  their  docility,  and  the  sweetness  of  their  song.  They  are  fond  of 
orchards,  and  frequently  build  their  elegant  mossy  nest  in  an  apple  or 
pear-tree.  They  commence  this  operation  about  the  month  of  Apru, 
when  the  fruit-trees  are  in  blossom.  As  they  excel  nearly  all  our 
small  birds  in  beauty  of  plumage,  so  also  they  do  in  the  art  which 
they  employ  in  the  formation  of  this  structure.  The  nest  is  small  •  its 


THE    CANARY-FINCH.  173 

outside  consists  of  fine  moss,  curiously  interwoven  with  other  mate- 
rials ;  ^nd  the  inside  is  lined  with  grass,  horse-hair,  wool,  feathers,  and 
down.  The  eggs  are  five  in  number,  of  a  white  color,  speckled  and 
marked  with  reddish  brown. 

These  birds  may  be  caught  in  great  numbers,  at  almost  any  season 
of  the  year,  either  with  limed  twigs,  or  the  clap-net ;  but  the  best  time, 
is  said  to  be  about  Michaelmas.  They  are  easily  tamed  ;  and  are 
remarkable  for  their  extreme  docility,  and  the  attention  they  pay  to 
instructions.  It  requires  very  little  trouble  to  teach  them  to  perform 
several  movements  with  accuracy  ;  to  fire  a  cracker,  and  to  draw  up 
small  cups  containing  their  food  and  drink. 

Some  years  ago,  the  Sieur  Roman  exhibited  in  this  country  the 
wonderful  performances  of  his  birds.  These  were  Goldfinches,  Linnets, 
and  Canary-birds.  One  appeared  dead,  and  was  held  up  by  the  tail 
or  claw  without  exhibiting  any  signs  of  life.  A  second  stood  on  its 
head,  with  its  claws  in  the  air.  A  third  imitated  a  Dutch  milkmaid 
going  to  market,  with  pails  on  its  shoulders.  A  fourth  mimicked  a 
Venetian  girl  looking  out  at  a  window.  A  fifth  appeared  as  a  soldier, 
and  mounted  guard  as  a  sentinel.  The  sixth  was  a  cannoneer,  with  a 
cap  on  its  head,  a  firelock  on  its  shoulder,  and  a  match  in  its  claw  ; 
and  discharged  a  small  cannon.  The  same  bird  also  acted  as  if  it  had 
been  wounded:  it  was  wheeled  in  a  little  barrow,  to  convey  it  (as  it 
were)  to  the  hospital ;  after  which  it  flew  away  before  the  company. 
The  seventh  turned  a  kind  of  windmill.  And  the  last  bird  stood  in 
the  midst  of  some  fire-works  which  were  discharged  all  round  it;  and 
this  without  exhibiting  the  least  sight  of  fear. 

In  solitude  the  Goldfinch  delights  to  vie  ;v  its  image  in  a  mirror; 
fancying,  probably,  that  it  sees  another  of  its  own  species :  and  this 
attachment  to  society  seems  to  equal  the  cravings  of  nature  ;  for  it  is 
often  observed  to  pick  up  the  hemp-seed,  grain  by  grain,  and  advance 
to  eat  it  at  the  mirror  imagining,  no  doubt,  that  it  is  thus  feeding  in 
company. 

If  a  young  Goldfinch  be  educated  under  a  Canary-bird,  a  Wood- 
lark,  or  any  other  singing  bird,  it  will  readily  catch  its  song.  Mr. 
Albin  mentions  a  lady  who  had  a  Goldfinch  which  was  even  able 
distinctly  to  speak  several  words. 

Towards  winter  these  birds  usually  assemble  in  flocks.  They  fetd 
on  various  kinds  of  seeds,  but  are  more  partial  to  those  of  the  thistle 
than  any  others.  They  sometimes  have  been  known  to  attain  a  great 
aj^e.  Willoughby  speaks  of  one  that  was  twenty-three  years  old ;  and 
Albin  says,  that  they  not  unfrequently  arrive  at  the  age  of  twenty 
fears. 


THE   CANARY-FINCH. 

If,  observes  M.  de  Buffon,  the  Nightingale  is  the  songster  of  the 
woods,  the  Canary-bird  must  be  considered  as  the  musician  of  the 
chamber.  It  is  a  social  and  familiar  bird,  capable  of  recollecting 
kindnesses,  and  even  of  some  degree  of  attachment  towards  those  by 


174 


THE    CANARY-FINCH. 


whom  it  is  fed  and  attended.  In  a  state  of  nature  we  know  but  little 
of  its  manners  and  economy.  Like  the  rest  of  its  tribe,  it  feeds  chiefly 
on  seed  and  different  kinds  of  grain.  It  inhabits  the  woods  of  Italy, 

Greece,  and  the  Canary  Is- 
lands ;  from  the  latter  of  which 
it  appears  to  have  been  first 
brought  into  Europe,  about  the 
r«Jdle  of  the  fourteenth  cen- 
tury. These  birds,  however, 
are  now  so  commonly  bred  in 
our  own  country  that  we  are 
not  often  under  the  necessity  of 
crossing  the  ocean  for  them. 

It  is  not  generally  known, 
that  the  song  of  the  Canary- 
bird  is  usually  composed  either 
of  the  Titlark's  or  the  Night- 
ingale's notes.  Mr.  Barring- 
ton  saw  two  of  these  birds 
which  came  from  the  Canary 
Islands,  neither  of  which  had 
any  song  at  all;  and  he  was 
informed  that  a  ship  afterwards 
brought  over  a  great  number 
of  them,  all  of  which  had  the 
same  defect.  Most  of  the  birds 
that  are  imported  from  Tyrol 
have  been  educated  under  pa- 
rents, the  progenitors  of  which 
were  instructed  by  a  Nightin- 
gale. The  English  Canary- 
birds  have,  however,  more  of  the  Titlark's  than  of  the  Nightingale's  notes. 
Dr  Darwin  relates  a  very  singular  anecdote  respecting  one  of  these 
birds:  "On  observing  (says  he)  a  Canary-bird  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Hervey,  near  Tetbury,  in.  Derbyshire,  I  was  told  that  it  always  fainted 
away  when  its  cage  was  cleaned;  and  I  desired  to  see  the  experiment. 
The  cage  being  taken  from  the  ceiling,  and  the  bottom  drawn  out, 
the  bird  began  to  tremble,  and  turned  quite  white  about  the  root  of 
its  bill:  it  then  opened  its  mouth  as  if  for  breath,  and  respired  quick, 
etood  up  straighter  on  its  perch  hung,  its  wings,  spread  its  tail,  closed 
its  eyes,  and  appeared  quite  stiff  and  cataleptic  for  nearly  half  an 
hour;  and  at  length,  with  much  trembling  and  deep  respirations, 
camo  gradually  to  itself.'7 

&  Frenchman,  whose  name  was  Dujon,  exhibited  in  London 
twenty-four  Canary-birds,  many  of  which  lie  said  were  from  eighteen  to 
twenty-five  years  of  age.  Some  of  these  balanced  themselves,  head  down- 
ward, on  their  shoulders,  having  their  legs  and  tail  in  the  air.  One  of 
them  taking  a  stick  in  its  claws,  passed  its  head  between  its  legs,  and  suf- 
fered itself  to  be  turned  round,  as  if  in  the  act  of  being  roasted.  Another 
balanced  itself,  and  was  swung  backward  and  forward  on  a  slack  rope. 


CANARY-FINCH. 


THE   CANARY-FINCH. 


175 


A  third  was  dressed  in  a  military  uniform,  having  a  cap  on  its  head, 
wearing  a  sword  and  pouch,  and  carrying  a  firelock  in  one  claw :  after 
some  time  sitting  upright,  this  bird,  at  the  word  of  command,  freed  itself 
from  its  dress,  and  flew  away  to  the  cage.  A  fourth  suffered  itself  to  be 


shot  at,  and,  falling  down  as  if  dead,  was  put  into  a  little  wheelbarrow, 
and  wheeled  away  by  one  of  its  comrades ;  and  several  of  the  birds 
were  at  the  same  time  placed  upon  a  little  fire-work,  and  continued 
there  quietly,  and  without  alarm,  till  it  was  discharged. 

It  is  very  important   to   distribute    regularly  to  'singing  birds  the 

simple  allowance  of  fresh  food  which  is  intended  for  the  day.     By  this 

means  they  will  sing  every  day  equally. 


176 


THE  KING-BIRD,  OR    TYRANT  FLT-CATCHER. 


THE   KING- BIRD,  OR   TYRANT   FLY-CATCHER. 

This  well  known,  remarkable  and   pugnacious  bird  takes  up  its 

summer  residence  in 
all  the  intermediate 
region,  from  the 
temperate  parts  of 
Mexico  to  the  unin- 
habited and  remote 
interior  of  Canada. 
Jn  all  this  vast 
geographical  range 
the  King-bird  seeks 
his  food  and  rears 
his  young.  Accord- 
ing to  A  u  d  u  b  o  n, 
they  appear  in 
Louisiana  by  the 
middle  of  March, 
and  about  the  20th 
of  April,  Wilson  re- 
marked their  arrival 
in  Pennsylvania  in 
small  parties  of  five 
or  six ;  but  they  are 
very  seldom  seen  in 
Massachusetts  b  e- 
fore  the  middle  of 
May.  They  are  now 
silent  and  peaceable, 
until  they  b^gin  to  pair,  and  form  their  nests,  which  takes  place  from 
the  first  to  the  last  week  in  May,  or  early  in  June,  according  to  the 
advancement  of  the  season  in  the  latitudes  of  forty  and  forty-three 
degrees.  The  nest  is  usually  built  in  the  orchard,  on  the  horizontal 
branch  of  an  apple  or  pear  tree,  sometimes  in  an  oak,  in  the  adjoining 
forest,  at  various  heights  from  the  ground,  seldom  carefully  concealed, 
and  firmly  fixed  at  the  bottom  to  the  supporting  twigs  of  the  branch. 
The  outside  consists  of  course  stalks  of  dead  grass  and  wiry  weeds, 
the  whole  well  connected  and  bedded  with  cut- weed,  down,  tow,  or 
an  occasional  rope-yarn,  and  wool;  it  is  then  lined  with  dry,  slender 
grass,  root  fibres,  and  horsehair.  The  eggs  are  generally  three  to 
five,  yellowish-white,  and  marked  with  a  few  large,  well  defined  spots 
of  deep  and  bright  brown.  They  often  build  and  hatch  twice  in  the 
season. 

Like  the  swallow,  they  drink  and  bathe  whilst  on  the  wing,  invari- 
ably perching  upon  a  neighbouring  tree,  the  better  to  dry  their  plumage. 
The  Tyrant  Shrikes  quit  the  United  States  before  any  other  of  the 
feathered  summer  visitors,  and  prosecute  their  migrations  by  night  as 


TYRANT  FLT-CATCHER,  OR   KINO-BIRD. 


THE   SPOTTED   FLY-CATCHER.  177 

well  as  day,  flying  alternately  with  rapidly  repeated  strokes  of  the 
pinions,  and  a  smooth,  gliding  motion,  that  is  apparently  produced  with- 
out the  slightest  effort.  The  flesh  of  this  species  is  delicate  and  much 
esteemed  in  Louisiana.  Nuttall  owned  one  who  swallowed  berries 
whole ;  grasshoppers  were  pounded  and  broken  on  the  cage  floor. 

OF   THE   FLY-CATCHERS  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  characters  of  this  genus  are,  a  bill  flatted  at  the  base,  almost 
triangular,  notched  at  the  end  of  the  upper  mandible,  and  beset  with 
bristles.  The  toes  in  most  of  the  species  are  divided  as  far  as  the 
origin. 

THE    SPOTTED   FLY-CATCHER. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  about  four  inches  and  three  quarters: 
the  bill  is  dusky  and  beset  with  short  bristles :  the  head  and  back  are 
light  brown,  obscurely  spotted  with  black :  the  wings  and  tail  are  dusky, 
and  the  former  edged  with  white:  the  breast  and  belly  are  white:  the 
throat,  sides,  and  feathers  under  the  wings,  are  tinged  with  red;  and 
the  legs  are  black. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  mute,  and  most  familiar  of  all  the  English 
summer  birds.  It  visits  them  in  spring,  rears  its  young-ones,  and 
leaves  tjrie  country  in  September. 

Mr.  White  says,  that  a  pair  of  these  birds  built  every  year  in  the 
vines  that  grew  on  the  walls  of  his  house  at  Selborne.  They  one  year 
inadvertently  placed  their  nest  on  a  naked  bough,  perhaps  in  a  shady 
time,  not  being  aware  of  the  inconvenience  that  followed ;  but  a  hot, 
sunny  season  coming  on  before  the  brood  was  half  fledged,  the  reflec- 
tion of  the  wall  became  insupportable,  and  must  inevitably  have  de- 
stroyed the  tender  young-ones,  hud  not  affection  suggested  an  expe 
dient,  and  prompted  the  parent  birds  to  hover  over  the  nest  during 
all  the  hotter  hours;  while  with  wings  expanded,  and  mouths  gaping 
for  breath,  they  screened  off  the  heat  from  their  suffering  offspring. 

The  female  lays  four  or  five  eggs:  the  nest  is  carelessly  made,  and 
consists  chiefly  of  moss,  mixed  with  wool  and  fibres,  so  strong,  and 
so  large,  (says  M.  de  Buffon,)  that  it  appears  surprising  how  so  small 
an  artificer  could  make  use  of  such  stubborn  materials.  When  its 
offspring  are  able  to  fly,  it  retires  with  them  among  the  higher 
branches  of  the  trees,  sinking  and  rising  perpendicularly  among  the 
flies  which  hum  below. 

This  bird  feeds  on  insects,  which  it  catches  whilst  on  wing.  It  some- 
times watches  for  its  prey  sitting  on  a  branch  or  post,  and,  with  a 
sudden  spring,  takes  it  as  it  flies,  and  then  immediately  returns  to  its 
station  to  wait  for  more.  It  is  said,  likewise,  to  be  fond  of  some  kinds 
of  fruit.  It  is  generally  believed  to  have  no  song.  The  Rev.  Revett 
Sheppard,  however,  informs  me,  that  in  the  garden  belonging  to  the 
master  of  Caius  College,  Cambridge,  a  Spotted  Fly-catcher  used  fre- 
quently to  sit  on  a  rail,  and  entertain  him  with  its  notes,  which,  he 
says,  were  very  pleasing,  and  between  those  of  a  Wagtail  and  Wren. 


178 


THE   PEWIT   FLY-CATCHER. 


THE    PEWIT   FLY- CATCHER 

This  familiar  species  inhabits  the  continent  of  North  America,  from 
Canada  and  Lab- 
rador to  Texas, 
retiring  from  the 
Northern  and  Mid- 
dle States  at  the 
approach  of  winter. 
IIow  far  they  pro- 
ceed to  the  south 
at  this  season  is 
not  satisfactorily 
ascertained ;  a  few, 
no  doubt,  winter  in 
the  milder  parts  of 
the  Union,  as  Wil- 
son saw  them  iA 
February  in  the 
swamps  of  North 
and  South  Carolina, 
where  they  were 
feeding  on  smilax 
berries,  and  occa- 


s  i  o  n  al 1 y 
giving   their 
known  notes 


even 

well- 


THE   PEWIT   FLY-CATCHBR. 


but  in  the  winter,  and  early  spring  of  1830,  while  em- 
ployed in  an  extensive  pedestrian  journey  from  South  Carolina  to 
Florida  and  Alabama,  I  never  heard  or  met  with  an  individual  of  the 
species.  Audubon  found  them  abundant  in  the  Floridas  in  winter. 

This  faithful  messenger  of  spring  returns  to  Pennsylvania  as  early 
as  the  first  week  in  March,  remains  till  October,  and  sometimes  nearly 
to  the  middle  of  November.  In  Massachusetts,  they  arrive  about  the 
beginning  of  April,  and  at  first  chiefly  frequent  the  woods. 

Their  favorite  resort  is  near  streams,  ponds,  or  stagnant  waters, 
about  bridges,  caves,  and  barns,  where  they  choose  to  breed ;  and,  in 
short,  wherever  there  is  a  good  prospect  for  obtaining  their  insect 
food. 


THE    AMERICAN    REDSTART. 


This  beautiful  and  curious  bird  takes  up  its  summer  residence  in 
al-most  every  part  of  the  North  American  continent,  being  found  in 
Canada,  in  the  remote  interior  near  Bed  river  in  the  latitude  of  forty- 
nine  degrees,  throughout  Louisiana,  Arkansas,  and  the  maritime  parts 
of  Mexico;  in  al1  of  which  vast  countries  it  familiarly  breeds  and  re- 
sides during  the  miid  season,  withdrawing  early  in  September  to  trop- 


THE  AMERICAN   REDSTART. 


179 


ical  America,  where,  in  the  perpetual  spring  and  summer  of  the  larger 

West  India 
islands,  the  spe- 
cies again  tind 
means  of  support. 
At  length,  insti- 
gated bj  more 
powerful  feelings 
than  those  of 
ordinary  want 
the  male,  no'tf 
clad  in  hia 
beautiA.il  nuptial 
livery,  and  ac- 
companied by  his 
mate,  seeks  anew 
the  friendly  but 
far  distant  natal 


AMERICAN   REDSTART. 


regions  of  hia 

race.  In  no  haste,  the  playful  Redstart  does  not  appear  in  Pennsylvania 
until  late  in  April.  The  month  of  May,  about  the  close  of  the  first 
week,  ushers  his  arrival  into  the  states  of  New  England ;  but  in  Louis- 
iana he  is  seen  as  early  as  the  beginning  of  March.  He  is  no  pensioner 
upon  the  bounty  of  man.  Though  sometimes  seen,  on  his  first  arrival, 
in  the  darkest  part  of  the  orchard  or  garden,  or  by  the  meandering 
brook,  he  seeks  to  elude  observation,  and  now,  the  great  object  of  hia 
migrations  having  arrived,  he  retires  with  his  mate  to  the  thickest  of 
the  sylvan  shade.  Like  his  relative  Sylvias,  he  is  full  of  life  and  in 
perpetual  motion.  He  does  not,  like  the  loitering  Pewee,  wait  the 
accidental  approach  of  his  insect  prey,  but  carrying  the  war  amongst 
them,  he  is  seen  flitting  from  bough  to  bough,  or  at  times  pursuing 

the  flying  troop 
of  winged  insects 
from  the  top  of 
the  tallest  tree  in 
a  zig-zag,  hawk- 
like, descending 
flight,  to  the 
ground,  while  the 
clincking  of  the 
bill  declares  dis- 
tinctly both  his 
object  and  success 
Then  alighting  on 
some  adjoining 
branch,  intently 
watching,  with  hia 
head  extended,  he 
runs  along  upon  it  for  an  instant  or  two,  flirting  like  a  fan  hia 
expanded  brilliant  tail  from  side  to  side,  and  again  suddenly  shoots 


REST  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REDSTART. 


180 


THE    RED   EYED   YIREO,    OR   GREENLET. 


off  like  an  arrow  in  a  new  direction,  after  the  fresli  game  he  has 
discovered  in  the  distance,  and  for  which  he  appeared  to  be  recon- 
noitring. At  first  the  males  are  seen  engaged  in  active  strife,  pursuing 
each  other  m  wide  circles  through  the  forest.  The  female  seeks  out 
ner  prey  with  less  action  and  flirting,  and  in  her  manners  resembles 
the  ordinary  Sylvias. 

The  nest  of  the  Redstart  is  very  neat  and  substantial ;  fixed  occasion- 
ally  near  the  forks  of  a  slender  hickory  or  beach  sappling,  but  more 
generally  fastened  or  agglutinated  to  the  depending  branches  or  twigs 
of  the  former ;  sometimes  securely  seated  amidst  the  stout  footstalks 
of  the  waring  foliage  in  the  more  usual  manner  of  the  delicate  cradle 
of  the  Indian  Tailor-bird,  but  in  the  deep  and  cool  shade  of  the  forest, 
instead  of  the  blooming  bower. 


THE   RED-EYED   VIREO,   OR   GREEXLET. 

This  common  and  indefatigable  songster  appears  to  inhabit  every 
part  of  the  American  continent  from  Labrador  to  the  large  tropical 
islands  of  Jamaica 
and  St.  Domingo ; 
they  are  likewise 
resident  in  the 
mild  table  land  of 
Mexico.  Those  who 
pass  the  summer 
with  us,  however, 
migrate  to  the 
warmer  regions  at 
the  commencement 
of  winter,  as  none 
are  found  at  that 
season  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States.  The  Red -eyed  Yireo 
arrives  in  Pennsylvania  late  in  April,  and  in  New  England  about  the 
beginning  of  May.  It  inhabits  the  shady  forests  or  tall  trees  near  gardens 
and  the  suburbs  of  villages,  where  its  loud,  lively,  and  energetic  song 
is  often  continued,  with  little  intermission,  for  several  hours  at  a  time, 
as  it  darts  and  pries  among  the  thick  foliage  in  quest  of  insects  and 
smaL  Caterpillars.  From  its  first  arrival,  until  August,  it  is  the  most 
distinguished  warbler  of  the  forest,  and  when  almost  all  the  other 
birds  have  become  mute,  its  notes  are  yet  heard  with  unabated  vigor, 


REI>-ETED   VIREO. 


OF  THE  LARKS  IN  GENERAL. 

IN  this  tribe  the  bill  is  straight,  slender,  bending  a  little  towards 
the  end,  and  sharp-pointed.  The  nostrils  are  covered  with  feathers 
and  bristles;  and  the  tongue  is  cloven  at  the  end.  The  toes  are 
divided  to  the  origin;  and  the  claw  of  the  back  toe  is  very  long, 
and  either  straight  or  very  little  bent 


THE  SKY-LARK.  181 

All  the  various  .members  of  this  family  are  stoutly  built,  with  large 
tieads,  beaks  of  short  or  moderate  length,  long  and  very  broad  wings, 
short  tails,  and  rather  flat  feet;  the  tail,  which  is  by  no  means  large,  is 
composed  of  twelve  feathers,  evenly  cut  off  at  their  extremity.  The 
plumage  is  of  a  brownish  shade,  itearly  alike  in  the  two  sexes,  but 
varying  considerably  as  the  birds  increase  iii  age.  The  internal  structure 
of  the  body  diifers  in  no  essential  particular  from  that  of  other  Passeres, 
The  singing  apparatus  is  well  developed,  and  the  lungs  are  large. 


«HOBT  TOED  1.ARK, 


THE  SKY-LARK:, 


The  Sky-lark  forms  its  »nest  ^on  ihe  ground,  generally  between  two 
clods  of  earth,  and  lines  it  with  dried  grass  and  roots.  The  female  lays 
four  or  five  eggs,  which  are  hatched  in  about  a  fortnight;  and  she  gen- 
erally produces  two  broods  MI  the  year.  When  hatclred,  the  mother 
watches  over  them  with  a  truly  maternal  affection  ;  she  may  then  be  seen 
fluttering  over  their  heads,  directing  their  auctions,  .anticipating  tlK?ir 
wants,  and  guarding  them  from  danger.. 

The  instinctive  warmth  of  attachment  which  the  female  Sky-lark 
bears  towards  her  own  species,  often  discovers  itself  at  a  very  early 
period,  and.  even  before  she  is  capable  of  becoming -a  mother;  which 
might  be  supposed  to  precede,  in  the  order  of  nature,  the  maternal 
solicitude.  "In  the  month  of  May  (says  M.  de  Buffon)  a  young  hen- 
bird  was  brought  to  me,  which  was  not  able  to  feed  without  assistance, 
I  caused  her  to  be  educated;  and  she  was  hardly  fledged,  when  F 
received  from  another  place  a  nest  of  three  or  four  unfledged  Sky- 
larks. She  took  a  strong  liking  to  these  new  comers,  which  were 
scarcely  younger  than  herself;  she  tended  them  night  and  day, 
cherished  them  beneath  her  wings,  and  fed  them  with  her  bill.  No- 
'hing  could  interrupt  her  tender  offices.  If  the  young-ones  were  torn 
from  her  she  flew  to  them  as  soon  as  she  was  liberated,  -and  would 


182  THE   SKi-LARK. 

not  think  of  effecting  her  own  escape,  which  she  might  have  done  a 
hundred  times.  Her  affection  grew  upon  her:  she  neglected  food  and 
drink  ;  she  now  required  the  same  support  as  her  adopted  offspring, 
and  expired  at  last,  consumed  with  maternal  anxiety.  !None  of  the 
young-ones  survived  her.  They  died  one  after  another;  so  essential 
were  her  cares,  which  were  equally  tender  and  judicious." 

The  common  food  of  young  Sky-larks  is  worms  and  insects;  but 
after  they  are  grown  up  they  live  chiefly  on  seeds,  herbage,  and  most 
other  vegetable  substances.  These  birds  are  easily  tamed,  and  they 
became  so  familiar  as  to  eat  off  the  table,  and  even  to  alight  on  the 
hand;  but  they  cannot  cling  by  their  toes,  on  account  of  the  form  of 
(he  hinder  toe,  which  is  straight  and  very  long.  This  is  the  reason 
why  they  never  perch  on  trees. 

The  Lark  commences  his  song  early  in  spring,  and  continues  it 
during  the  whole  of  the  summer.  It  is  heard  chiefly  in  the  morning 
and  evening,  and  the  Lark  is  one  of  those  few  birds  that  chaunt  theii 
mellow  notes  on  the  wing.  Thomson  elegantly  describes  it  as  tbt 
leader  of  the  warbling  choir:  — 

Up  spriwgs  tbe  Larte. 

Shrfll-Yoieed  am}  Totid,  the  messenger  of  room 
Ere  yet  tbe  shadows  By,  be,  moontect,  slugs 
Amid  the  dawning  clowds,  asd  from1  their  haunts 
Calls  up  the  tuneful 


The  Lark  mounts  almost  perpendicularly,  and  by  successive 
springs,  into  the  air;  where  it  hovers  at  a  vast  height.  Its  descent 
is  in  an  oblique  direction;  unless  threatened  by  some  ravenous  bird 
of  prey,  or  attracted  by  its  mate,  when  it  drops  to  the  ground  like  a 
ttone.  On  its  first  leaving  tbe  earth,  its  notes  are  feeble  and  inter- 
"upted;  but  as  it'  rises,  these  gradually  swell  to  their  full  tone.  There 
is  something  in  the  concomitant  scenery,  tba-t  renders  the  music  of 
the  Lark  peculiarly  delightful.  The  placid  landscape  and  various 
rural  charms,  all  contribute  to  heighten  our  relish  for  its  pleasing 
aong. 

These  birds  become  musical  in  the  spring,  and  continue  so  for 
several  months;  but  in  winter  tbeir  song  forsakes  them.  They  then 
assemble  in  flocks,  grow  fat,  and  are  caught  in  vast  numbers  by  the 
bird-catchers.  As  many  as  four  thousand  dozen  have  been  taken  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Dunstable,  between  September  an"d  February  ; 
but  this  holds  no  proportion  to  what  are  sometimes  caught  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  Germany,  where  there  is  a  tax  upon  them.  Keyaler  saysv 
that  at  one  time  this  tax  produced  six  thousand  dollars  every  year  to 
the  city  of  Leipsic. 

Larks  that  are  caught  in  the  day-time  are  taken  in  clap-nets,  of 
fifteen  yards  in  length,  and  two  and  a  half  in  breadth  ;  and  they  are 
enticed  by  bits  of  looking-glass  fixed  in  a  piece  of  wood,  and  placed 
in  tbe  middle  of  the  nets.  These  are  put  into  quick  whirling  motion, 
by  a  string  which  the  larker  commands;  he  also  makes  use  of  a  decoy- 
bird.  This  kind  of  net  is  used  only  till  the  fourteenth  of  November; 
for  the  Larks  will  not  frolic  in  the  air,  and  consequently  cannot  be 


THE    WOOD-LARK.  183 

inveigled  in  this  manner,  except  in  fine  sunny  weather.  When  th« 
weather  becomes  gloomy,  the  larker  changes  his  engine;  and  makes 
use  of  a  trasaimel-net,  twenty -seven  or  twenty -eight  feet  long,  and  five 
broad.  This  is  put  on  two  poles,  eighteen  feet  long,  and  carried  by 
men,  who  pass  over  the  fields,  and  quarter  the  ground  .as  a  setting- 
dog  would.  When  the  men  hear  or  feel  that  a  Lark  has  hit  the  rael, 
t&ey  drop  it  down,  and  thus  the  birds  are  taken. 


THE   WOOD-LAKE. 

The  Wood-lark  is  somewhat  smaller  than  the  Sky-lark,  and  its  form 
is  shorter  and  more  thick.  The  top  of  the  head  and  back  are  marked 
with  large  black  spots,  edged  with  pale  reddish  brown.  The  head  ia 
surrounded  with  a  whitish  coronet  of  feathers,  reaching  from  eye  to 
eye.  The  throat  is  of  a  yellowish  white,  spotted  with  black.  The 
breast  is  tinged  with  red  ;  the  belly  is  white ;  aad  tfee  coverts  of  the 
wings  are  brown  ed^ed  wi£h  white  and  dull  yellow.  The  quill-feathers 
are  dusky;  the  exterior  edges  of  the  first  white,  and  of  the  others 
yellow ;  a/ad  their  tips  are  blunt  aad  white.  The  first  feadier  of  the 
wing  is  shorter  than  the  second:  ia  the  Sky -lark  they  are  nearly 
euual.  The  tail  is  black,  the  outermost  feather  tipped  with  white 
the  exterior  web,  and  the  inner  side  of  the  interior  web,  are  also  white, 
in  the  second  feather  the  exterior  web  only  is  white.  The  legs  are  of 
a  dull  yellow. 

In  many  respects,  both  of  habit  and  appearance,  these  birds  differ 
from  the  Sky-lark.  They  perch  as  well  in  trees  as  on  the  ground 
but  this  they  do  -only  on  the  largest  branches,  where  they  are  able  to 
secure  their  hold  without  positively  embracing  the  stems  with  their 
toes.  The  Sky -lark  forms  its  mest  amongst  grass  near  the  bottom  of  a 
hedge,  or  m  lays  where  the  grass  is  rank  aad  dry.  The  fabric  is  of 
loose  textare,  and  constructed  of  withered  herbs,  aiid  fibrous  roots, 
with  a  few  horse-hairs  ia  the  iaskie.  It  has  scarcely  any  hollow,  the 
bottom  being  nearly  oia  a  level  with  the  sides.  The  whole  nest  is  seldom 
much  more  than  half  an  ounce  in  weight.  The  number  of  eggs  is 
about  four ;  these  are  of  a  pale  biooni-eolor,  beautifully  mottled,  and 
clouded  with  red  and  yellow. 

The  young  birds  are  tender,  aad  not  easily  to  be  reared  in  a  cage. 
When  first  taken  from  the  nest,  they  should  be  fed  with  raw  sheep's 
heart,  or  other  lean  fresh  meat,  mixed  with  hard-boiled  egg,  a  little 
bread,  aad  bruised  hemp-seed.  These  must  be  chopped  together  as 
fine  as  possible,  and  moistened  with  water, 

From  what  circumstance  these  birds  have  obtained  the  appellation 
of  Wood-larks,  unless  it  be  from  their  building  in  thickets,  is  difficult 
to  say ;  since,  like  the  common  species,  they  are  for  the  most  part 
found  only  on  large  and  cultivated  plains. 

Their  song  is  stated  more  to  resemble  that  of  the  Sky -lark.  They 
sing  not  only  in  the  day-time,  but  during  the  night ;  not  only  whilst 
they  are  in  flight,  but  also  when  perched  upon  the  trees.  Like  the 
Sky -larks,  they  assemble  in  considerable  flocks  during  frosty  weather. 


184 


THE  GRASSHOPPER-LARK, 


Their  usual  food  consists  of  small  Beetles,  Caterpillers,  and  othei 
insects,  as  well  as  of  the  seeds  of  numerous  kinds  of  wild  plants. 


THE   MEADOW  PIPIT. 

The  Meadow  Pipit,,  more  commonly  called  the  Titlark,  resembles 
the  true  Larks  in  the  long  hind 
claw  and  peculiar  plumage,  but 
is  pointed  out  as  distinct,  by  the 

different  color  of  the  bill.     Like  ^•L/l,  M'Mi^        t 

the  Skylark,  h  sings  while  in 
the  air,  but  sometimes  also  pours 
forth  its  musical  strains  while 
settled  upon  the  ground.  It  feeds 

111  i 

principally  on  slugs,  worms,,  and 
insects,  which  it  chases  with  much 
activity,  after  the  manner  of  the 
Wagtails,  even  vibrating  its-  tail 
like  them.  Hilly  grounds,  com- 
mons, and  meadows  are  its  chief 
Tesort  in  summer,  but  during  September  aad  October  flocks  of  these 
birds  may  be  seen  congregated  in  turnip  fields,  and  in  the  winter  they 
seek  the  protection  of  the  warm  hedge- rows. 

The  nest  of  the  Titlark  is  made  on  the  ground,  and  concealed  by  a 
tuft  of  grass.     There  are  usually  five  or  six  eggs,  light  brown  in 
spotted  with  a  darker  tint     The  length  of  the  bird  is  six  inches 


THE    GRASSHOPPER-LARK. 

This  is  a  very  small  species.  Its  bill  is  slender  and  dusky. 
«pper  parts  of  the  body  are 
of  a  variegated  greenish 
brown.  The  under  parts 
are  of  a  yellowish  whiter 
speckled  irregularly  on  the 
neck  and  breast.  The 
feathers  of  the  wings  and 
tail  are  of  a  palish  dusky 
brown.  The  tail  is  long, 
and  somewhat  wedge- 
shaped 

Nothing,  says  the  Rev. 
Mr.  White,  can  be  more 
amusing  than  the  sibilous  whisper  of  this  little  bird,  which  seems-  to 
be  close  by,  though  it  may  be  an  hundred  yards  distant ;  and,  when 
dose  at  your  ear,  is  scarcely  any  louder  than  when  a  great  way  of£ 
The  Grasshopper-lark  usually  begins  his  note  about  the  middle  of 
April,  *nd  did  we  not  know  that  the  Grasshopper  insects  are  not  yei 


7HE   &RASSHOPP1.E  LARK. 


1.  PIPIT  LARK,  AS  HE  APPEARS  IN  THE  ACT  OF  DESCENDING  FROM  HIS  SONG  FLIGHT.      2.  WOODLAR! 
3.  THRUSH.  4.  BLACKBIRD.  5.  SKYLARKS,  MALE,  FEMALE  AND  NEST. 

185 


186 


THE    SHORE-LARK. 


hatched,  it  wou  ,d  not  be  easy  to  persuade  one's  self  that  the  not%  ut 
tered  by  this  lark  was  in  reality  the  note  of  a  bird. 

During  the  season  of  love,  the  male  has  great  delight  in  uttering  ita 
song  from  some  bush  adjacent  to  its  nest.  Its  warbling  is  extrenv-,ly 
simple,  but  at  the  same  time  is  sweet,  and  by  no  means  inharmonious 
These  birds  also  sing  during  their  flight. 

They  are  artful  little  creatures,  generally  skulking  in  the  thickest 
part  of  the  bushes,  and  sometimes  when  concealed,  singing  at  the 
distance  of  a  little  more  than  a  yard  from  any  person.  Mr.  White, 
speaking  of  one  of  them,  says,  that,  in  order  to  find  it,  he  was  under 
.•he  necessity  of  desiring  a  person  to  go  on  the  other  side  of  a  hedge 
that  it  haunted.  The  bird  even  then  ran  before  them,  creeping  like 
a  Mouse,  for  more  than  a  hundred  yards,  through  the  bottom  of  the 
thorns,  yet  it  could  not  be  compelled  to  corne  into  their  sight.  Yet 
this  bird,  early  in  the  morning,  and  when  undisturbed,  would  sing  on 
the  top  of  a  twig,  gaping  and  shivering  its  wings  with  great  apparent 
delight. 

The  nest  of  the  Grasshopper  Lark  is  formed  in  some  solitary  place, 
and  generally  concealed  under  some  green  turf.  The  eggs  are  seldom 
more  than  five  in  number,  and  these  are  marked  towards  the  large 
end  with  brown.  The  young-ones  are  not  uiifrequently  devoured  by 
snakes. 

Although  these  birds  are  able  to  perch  on  small  twigs,  yet  their 
hinder  claw,  as  in  most  of  the  other  species,  is  of  considerable  length 


THE   SHORE-LARK. 

This  beautiful  species,  says  Nuttall,  is  common  to  the  north  of 

the  old  and  new 

—          ~  — -  -*»•*•  continent,  but,  as 

in  some  other 
instances  already 
remarked,  the 
Shore-lark 
extends  its  mi- 
grations much 
further  over 
America  than 
over  Europe  and 
Asia.  Our  bird 
was  met  with  in 
the  Arctic  re- 
gions by  the  late 
adventurous  voy- 
agers; and  Mr.  Bullock  saw  them  in  the  winter  around  the  city  of 
Mexico ;  so  that  in  their  migrations  over  this  continent  they  spread 
themselves  across  the  whole  habitable  Northern  hemisphere  to  the 
/wy  equator:  while  in  Europe,  according  to  the  careful  observations 
of  temmmclc,  they  are  unknown  to  the  south  of  Germany.  Pallai 


THX  SHORE  LARK. 


\ 
THE   NIGHTINGALE.  187 

met  with  these  birds  round  Lake  Baikal  and  on  the  Wolga,  in  the 
63d  degree  of  latitude.  Westward  they  have  also  been  seen  in  the 
interior  of  the  United  States,  along  the  shores  of  the  Missouri. 

1  hey  arrive  in  the  Northern  and  Middle  States  late  in  the  fall  or 
commencement  of  winter ;  in  New  England  they  are  seen  early  in 
October,  and  disappear  generally  on  the  approach  of  the  deep  storms 
)f  snow,  though  straggling  parties  are  still  found  nearly  throughout 
the  winter.  In  the  other  States  to  the  South  they  are  more  common 
at  this  season,  and  are  particularly  numerous  in  South  Carolina  and 
Groorgia,  frequenting  open  plains,  old  fields,  common  grounds,  and  the 
dry  shores  and  banks  of  bays  and  rivers,  keeping  constantly  on  the 
ground,  and  roving  about  in  families  under  the  guidance  of  the  older 
birds,  who  watching  for  any  approaching  danger,  give  the  alarm  to 
the  young  in  a  plaintive  call,  very  similar  to  that  which  is  uttered 
by  the  Sky-lark  in  the  same  circumstances.  Inseparable  in  all  their 
movements,  like  the  hen.  and  her  fostered  chickens,  they  roost 
together  in  a  close  ring  or  company,  by  the  mere  edge  of  some 
sheltering  weed  or  tuft  of  grass  on  the  dry  and  gravelly  ground; 
and,  thickly  and  warmly  clad,  they  abide  the  frost  and  the  storm 
with  hardy  indifference.  They  fly  rather  high  and  loose,  in  scattered 
companies,  and  follow  no  regular  time  of  migration,  but  move  on- 
ward only  as  their  present  resources  begin  to  fail.  They  are  usually 
fit,  esteemed  as  food,  and  are  frequently  seen  exposed  for  sale  in  our 
markets.  Their  diet,  as  usual,  consists  of  seeds  which  still  remain 
on  the  grass  and  weeds  they  frequent,  and  they  swallow  a  considerable 
portion  of  gravel  to  assist  their  digestion.  They  also  collect  the  eggs 
and  dormant  Iarva3  of  insects  when  they  fall  in  their  way. 


OF  THE  WARBLERS  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  Warblers  have  a  weak  and  slender  bill;  small  and  somewhat 
depressed  nostrils;  and  the  tongue  cloven  at  the  end.  The  exterior 
toe  is  joined  beneath  to  the  base  of  the  middle  one. 

Most  of  these  birds  prey  on  insects.  Some  of  them  are  gregarious, 
and  migrate  at  the  approach  of  the  cold  weather,  to  warmer  climates. 
This  is  a  very  extensive  tribe,  containing  in  the  whole  above  a  hun 
dred  and  seventy  species,  of  which  England  boasts  nearly  twenty. 


THE   NIGHTINGALE. 

The  Nightingale,  though  greatly  and  deservedly  esteemed  for  the 
xcellence  of  its  song,  is  not  remarkable  for  variety  or  richness  of 
colors  It  usually  leaves  us  about  the  middle  of  September,  in  order, 
as  it  is  supposed  to  retire  to  the  distant  regions  of  Asia.  This  bin! 
returns  regularly  in  the  first  days  of  April.  Mr.  Barrington  kept  a 
fine  nightingale  for  three  years,  during  which  time  he  paid  partic- 
ular attention  to  its  song.  Its  tone  was  infinitely  more  mellow 
than  that  of  any  other  bird;  though  at  the  same  time,  by  a  proper 


188  THE    PENSILE   WARBLER. 

exertion,  it  could  be  excessively  brilliant.  Whek  this  bird  sang  its 
song  round,  in  its  whole  compass,  he  observed  sixteen  different 
beginnings  and  closes ;  at  the  same  time  that  the  intermediate  notes 
were  commonly  varied  in  their  succession  with  so  much  judgment, 
as  to  produce  a  most  pleasing  variety.  Another  point  of  superiority 
in  the  Nightingale,  is  its  continuance  of  song  without  a  pause;  which 
Mr.  Barrington  observed  to  be  sometimes  not  less  than  twenty 
seconds.  Whenever  respiration,  however,  became  necessary,  it  was 
taken  with  as  much  judgment  as  by  an  opera-singer. 

In  this  place  it  may  be  remarked,  that  the  Nightingales  in  general, 
in  a  wild  state,  do  not  eing  above  ten  weeks  in  the  year ;  while  thos^ 
rcnfined  in  a  cage  continue  their  song  for  nine  or  ten  months;  and  a 
caged  Nightingale  sings  much  more  sweetly  than  those  which  we  hear 
abroad  in  the  spring.  The  latter,  as  the  bird-fanciers  term  it,  are  so 
rank  that  they  seldom  sing  anything  but  short  and  loud  jerks:  whicL, 
consequently,  cannot  be  compared  to  the  notes  of  a  caged  bird,  sim.,3 
the  instrument  is  thus  overstrained. 

From  the  dissections  of  several  birds  made  by  Mr.  John  Hunter,  At 
the  request  of  the  Hon.  Daines  Barrington,  it  appeared  that,  in  the 
best  singers,  the  muscles  of  the  larynx  were  the  strongest.  Those  in 
the  Nightingale  were  stronger  than  in  any  other  bird  of  the  same  size. 
When  we  consider  the  size  of  many  singing  birds,  it  is  really  amazing 
to  what  a  distance  their  notes  can  be  heard.  It  is  supposed  that  the 
song  of  a  Nightingale  may  be  heard  above  half  a  mile  if  the  evening 
be  calm. 

Nightingales  will  adopt  the  notes  of  other  birds;  and  they  will 
even  chaunt  the  stiff'  airs  of  a  Nightingale-pipe.  They  may  be 
instructed  to  sing  by  turns  with  a  chorus,  and  to  repeat  their  couplet 
at  the  proper  time.  Mr.  Stack  house,  of  Pendarvis  in  Cornwall,  informs 
me  that  he  has  remarked  of  the  Nightingale  that  it  will  modulate  its 
voice  to  any  given  key:  he  says,  if  any  person  whistle  a  note,  the  bird 
will  immediately  try,  in  its  strain,  an  unison  with  it.  Nightingales 
may  also  be  taught  to  articulate  words. 

Nightingales  are  solitary  birds;  never  associating  in  'flocks,  like 
many  of  the  smaller  birds,  but  hiding  themselves  in  the  thickest  parts 
of  hedges  and  bushes,  and  seldom  singing  but  during  the  night. 

The  London  bird-catchers  catch  Nightingales  in  net-traps,  (some- 
what larger  than  cabbage-nets,)  the  bottoms  of  which  are  surrounded 
with  an  iron  ring.  These  are  baited  with  meal-worms  from  bakers' 
shops;  and  ten  or  a  dozen  birds  have  sometimes  been  caught  in  a  daj 
by  this  means 


THE   PENSILE   WARBLER. 

The  Pensile  Warbler  is  nearly  five  inches  long.  The  bill  is  dusky ; 
the  head  grayish  black;  and  the  back  deep  gray.  Round  the  eye 
there  is  a  white  streak,  and  between  that  and  the  bill  a  range  of  yellow 
dots.  The  throat,  neck,  and  breast,  are  yellow.  The  belly  is  white ; 
and  the  sides  of  the  neck  and  body  are  dotted  with  black  spots. 


THE   COMMON   WAGTAIL. 


189 


THE   PENSILE   WARBLER. 


wing-coverts  are  white  and  black,  in  bands.  The  tail  is  dark  gray, 
Having  the  four  outer  feathers  marked  with  large  spots  of  white. 
The  sagacity  displayed  by  this  bird  in  building  and  placing  its  nest, 
•  is  truly  remarkable.  She  does  not  fix  it  at 
the  forking  of  the  branches,  as  is  usual  with 
most  other  birds ;  but  she  suspends  it  to  a 
kind  of  binders,  which  hang  from  tree  to 
tree,  but  particularly  from  branches  that 
bend  over  the  rivers  and  deep  ravines.  The 
nest  consists  of  dry  blades  of  grass,  the  riba 
of  leaves,  and  exceedingly  small  roots, 
interwoven  with  great  art;  it  is  fastened 
on,  or  rather  it  is  worked  into  the  pendent  strings.  It  is  in  fact  a 
small  bed,  rolled  into  a  ball,  so  thick  and  compact  as  to  exclude 
the  rain ;  and  it  rocks  in  the  wind  without  receiving  any  injury. 

But  the  elements  are  not  the  only  ene.nies  against  which  this  bird 
has  to  struggle ;  with  wonderful  sagacity  it  provides  for  the  protection 
of  its  nest  from  other  accidents.  The  opening  is  neither  made  on  the 
top  nor  the  sides  of  the  nest,  but  at  the  bottom.  Nor  is  the  entrance 
direct.  After  the  bird  has  made  its  way  into  the  vestibule,  it  must 
pass  over  a  kind  of  partition,  and  through  another  aperture,  before  it 
descends  into  the  abode  of  its  family.  This  lodgment  is  round  and 
soft ;  being  lined  with  a  species  of  lichen,  which  grows  on  the  trees, 
or  with  the  silky  down  of  plants. 

The  birds  of  this  species  have  a  very  delicate  song,  which  is  con- 
tinued throughout  the  year.  They  are  natives  of  St.  Domingo,  and 
some  other  of  the  West  India  islands,  where  they  feed  chiefly  on 
insects  and  fruit. 


THE    COMMON   WAGTAIL. 

These  active  and  lively  little  birds  run  about  the  sides  of  ponds  and 

small  streams,  in  search  of 
insects  and  worms ;  and  in  the 
spring  and  autumn  are  constant 
attendants  on  the  plough,  for 
the  sake  of  the  worms  thrown 
up  by  that  instrument. 

The  generality  of  the  Wag- 
tails disappear  in  the  autumn  ; 
but  how  they  dispose  of  them- 


selves    during    the    winter,    la 


COMMON  WAGTAIL. 


somewhat  difficult  to  account 
for.  They  are  often  to  be  seen 
even  in  the  middle  of  winter. 
If  there  happen  to  be  a  fine  day,  and. the  sun  shine  bright,  they  are 
sure  to  make  their  appearance;  chirping  briskly,  and  seeming 
delighted  with  the  fine  weather,  though  they  had  not  perhaps  been 
seen  for  three  weeks  or  a  month  before.  Whence  then  do  they  come? 


190  THE   YELLOW   WAGTAIL. — WHEAT   EAR. 

Certainly  not  from  a  far  distant  country,  there  not  being  time  for  a 
very  long  journey  in  the  space  of  a  single  day ;  and,  besides,  they 
never  seem  to  be  tired  or  lifeless,  but  are  very  brisk  and  lively,  on 
inch  occasions. 


THE  YELLOW  WAGTAIL. 


The  Yellow  Wagtail  is 
very  similar  in  habits  to 
the  more  common  Pied 
Wagtail,  but  the  yellow 
tints  of  some  of  its  feath- 
ers, somewhat  resembling 
those  of  the  Yellow 
Hammer,  at  once  dis- 
tinguish it. 


YELLOW   WAGTAIL 


THE  WHEAT-EAK. 

The  head  and  back  of  the  male  are  of  a  light  gray,  tinged  with  red. 
Over  each  eye  there  is  a  white  line :  beneath  that  is  a  broad  black  stroke, 
which  passes  across  each  eye  to  the  hinder  part  of  the  head.  The 
rump  and  lower  half  of  the  tail  are  white :  the  upper  half  black.  The 
underside  of  the  body  is  white,  tinged  with  yellow :  on  the  neck  this 
color  inclines  to  red.  The  quill-feathers  are  black,  edged  with  reddish 
brown.  The  colors  of  the  female  are  more  dull :  this  sex  wants  the 
black  marks  across  the  eyes ;  and  the  bar  of  white  on  the  tail  is  narrower 
*,han  that  in  the  male. 

This  bird  visits  England  annually  in  the  middle  of  March,  and  leaves 
.Ji  September.  The  females  come  first,  about  a  fortnight  before  the 
males ;  and  they  continue  to  come  until  the  middle  of  May.  In  some 
parts  of  England  they  are  seen  in  great  numbers,  and  are  much  esteemed 
for  the  table.  About  Eastbourn,  in  Sussex,  they  are  caught  by  means 
of  snares  made  of  horse-hair,  placed  beneath  a  long  turf.  Being  very 
timid  birds,  the  motion  even  of  a  cloud,  or  the  appearance  of  a  Hawk, 
will  immediately  drive  them  into  the  traps.  These  traps  are  first  set 
every  year  on  St.  James's  day,  the  twenty-fifth  of  July ;  soon  after  which 
they  are  caught  in  astonishing  numbers,  considering  that  they  are  not 
gregarious,  and  that  more  than  two  or  three  are  scarcely  ever  seen  flying 
together.  The  number  annually  ensnared  in  the  district  of  Eastbourn 
alone,  is  said  to  amount  to  nearly  two  thousand  dozen.  The  birds 
caught  are  chiefly  young-ones,  and  they  are  invariably  found  in  the 
greatest  numbers  when  an  easterly  wind  prevails ;  they  always  come 
against  the  wind.  A  gentleman  informed  Mr.  Markwick  of  Cattsfield, 
that  his  father's  shepherd  once  caught  eighty-four  dozen  of  them  in  a 


THE    RED-BREAST.  191 

day.  Great  quantities  of  "Wheat- ears  are  eaten  on  the  spot  by  the 
inhabitants ;  others,  are  picked  and  sent  to  London  poulterers ;  and 
many  are  potted,  being  much  esteemed  in  England,  as  the  Ortolons  are 
on  the  continent. 

The  vast  abundance  of  these  birds  on  the  downs  about  Eastbourn,  is 
supposed  by  Mr.  Pennant  to  be  occasioned  by  a  species  of  fly,  their 
favorite  food,  that  feeds  on  the  wild  thyme,  and  abounds  on  the  adjacent 
hills. 

A  few  of  the  birds  breed  in  the  old  Rabbit-burrows  there.  Their 
Lest  is  large,  and  made  of  dried  grass,  Rabbits'  down,  a  few  feathers, 
and  horse-hair.  The  eggs  are  from  six  to  eight  in  number,  and  of  a 
light  color. 


THE   BED-BREAST. 

The  Red-breast  has  usually  been  reckoned  among  the  birds  of 

passage ;  but,  as  M.  de  Buffon  has 
elegantly  expressed  himself,  the 
departure  in  the  autumn  "  not  being 
proclaimed  among  the  Red-breasts, 
as  among  other  birds  at  that  season 
collected  into  flocks,  many  stay 
behind ;  and  these  are  either  the 
young  and  inexperienced,  or  some 
which  can  derive  support  from  the 
slender  resources  of  winter.  In 
that  season  they  visit  our  dwell- 
ings, and  seek  the  warmest  and 

RED-BREAST  most  sheltered  situations ;  and,  if 

any  one  happens  still  to  continue 

in  the  woods,  it  becomes  the  companion  of  the  faggot-maker,  cherishes 
itself  at  his  fire,  pecks  at  his  bread,  and  flutters  the  whole  day  round 
him,  chirping  its  slender  pip.  But,  when  the  cold  grows  more  severe, 
and  thick  snows  cover  the  ground,  it  approaches  our  houses,  and  taps 
at  the  window  with  its  bill,  as  if  to  entreat  an  asylum,  which  is  cheer- 
fully granted  ;  and  it  repays  the  favor  by  the  most  amiable  familiarity, 
gathering  the  crumbs  from  the  table,  distinguishing  affectionately  the 
people  of  the  house,  and  assuming  a  warble,  not  indeed  so  rich  as  that 
in  the  spring,  but  more  delicate.  This  it  retains  through  all  the  ngora 
of  the  season ;  to  hail  each  day  the  kindness  of  its  host,  and  the  sweet- 
ness of  its  retreat.  There  it  remains  tranquil,  till  the  returning  spring 
awakens  new  desires,  and  invites  to  other  pleasures :  it  now  becomes 
uneasy,  and  impatient  to  recover  its  liberty." 

The  Red-breast  generally  builds  its  nest  among  the  roots  of  trees,  in 
some  concealed  spot  near  the  ground.  This  is  composed  of  dried 
leaves,  mixed  with  hair  and  moss,  and  lined  with  feathers.  The  female, 
lays  from  five  to  seven  eggs.  In  order  the  more  successfully  to  con- 
ceal its  nest,  we  are  told  that  it  covers  it  with  leaves,  suffering  only  a 
narrow  winding  entrance  under  the  heap  to  be  left. 


192 


THE    AMERICAN    ROBIN. 


This  bird  feeds  principally  on  insects  and  worms ;  and  its  skill  in 
preparing  the  latter  is  somewhat  remarkable.  It  takes  a  worm  by 
one  extremity,  in  its  beak,  and  beats  it  on  the  ground  till  the  inner 
part  comes  away.  Then  seizing  it  in  a  similar  manner  by  the  other 
end,  it  entirely  cleanses  the  outer  part,  which  alone  it  eats. 

The  general  familiarity  of  this  bird  has  obtained  for  it  a  peculiar 
denomination  in  several  countries.  The  inhabitants  of  Bornholm  call 
it  Tommi  Liden  ;  the  Norwegians,  Peter  Ronsmad  ;  the  Germans, 
Thomas  Gierdet ;  and  we  give  to  it  the  familiar  appellation  of  Robin 
Red  breast. 


THE   AMERICAN   ROBIN,    OR   MIGRATING   THRUSH. 

The  familiar  and  welcome  Robin  is  found  in  summer  throughout 
the  North  American 
continent  from  the 
desolate  regions  of 
Hudson's  Bay,  in 
the  53d  degree,  to 
the  table  land  of 
Mexico;  it  is  like- 
wise a  denizen  of 
the  territory  of  the 
Oregon,  on  the 
western  base  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains. 
In  all  this  vast 
space,  the  American 
Eieldfare  rears  its 
young,  avoiding 
only  the  warmer 
maritime  districts, 
to  which,  however 
they  flock  for  sup- 
port during  the  inclemency  of  winter.  In  like  manner  the  common 
Fieldfare  migrates  at  a  late  season  from  the  northern  districts  of 
Siberia  and -Lapland  to  pass  the  winter  in  the  milder  parts  of  Europe. 
The  Robin  has  no  fixed  time  for  migration,  nor  any  particular 
rendezvous;  they  retire  from  the  higher  latitudes  only  as  their  food 
begins  to  fail,  and  so  leisurely  and  desultory  are  their  movements, 
*hat  they  make  their  appearance  in  straggling  parties  even  in  Massa- 
chusetts, feeding  on  winter  berries,  till  driven  to  the  south  by  deep 
and  inundating  snows.  At  this  season  they  swarm  in  the  Southern 
States,  though  they  never  move  in  large  bodies.  The  holly,  prinos, 
sumach,  smilax,  candle-berry  myrtle,  and  the  Virginian  juniper  now 
afford  them  an  ample  repast  in  the  winter,  in  the  absence  of  the  more 
juicy  berries  of  autumn,  and  the  insects  and  worms  of  the  milder 
season.  Even  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  flocks  of  Robins  are  seen, 
in  certain  seasons,  assembling  round  open  springs  in  the  depth  of 


AMERICAN  ROKIN. 


THE    GROUND    ROBIN. THE    WREN.  193 

winter,  having  arrived  probably  from  the  colder  interior  of  the  state, 
and  in  those  situations  they  are  consequently  often  trapped  and  killed 
in  great  numbers 

THE   GROUND   ROBIN,  OR  TOWWEE   FINCH. 

Tt  is  a  vary  common,  humble,  and  unsuspicious  bird,  dwelling 

commonly  in  the 
thick  dark  woods 
and  their  borders, 
flying  low,  and 
frequenting  thick- 
ets near  streams 
of  water,  where  it 
spends  much  time 
in  scratching  up 
the  withered 
leaves  for  worms 
and  their  larvae, 
and  it  is  particular- 
ly fond  of  Wire- 
worms  (or  Iuli)f 
as  well  as  various 
kinds  of  seeds  and 
gravel.  Its  rust- 
ling scratch  among 
the  leafy  carpet  of 
the  forest  is,  often, 
the  only  indica- 
tion of  its  pre- 
sence, excepting 

now  and  men  a  call  upon  its  mate  (tow-wee,  tow-wee,  tow-weet,)  with 
-vhich  it  is  almost  constantly  associated.  While  thus  busily  engaged  in 
foraging  for  subsistence,  it  may  be  watched  and  approached  without 
showing  any  alarm;  and  taking  a  look  often  at  the  observer,  without 
suspicion,  it  scratches  up  the  leaves  as  before.  This  call  of  recognition 
is  uttered  in  a  low  and  somewhat  sad  tone,  and  if  not  soon  answered, 
it  becomes  louder  and  interrogatory,  tow-wee,  towee  ?  and  terminates 
often  with  toweet.  They  are  accused  of  sometimes  visiting  the  pea- 
fields  to  feed,  but  occasion  no  sensible  damage. 


THE    WREN. 

The  Wren  is  found  throughout  Europe  and  America.  Its  nest  is 
curiously  constructed,  chiefly  of  moss,  and  lined  with  feathers:  in 
shape  it  is  almost  oval,  with  only  one  small  entrance.  This  nest  is 
generally  found  in  some  corner  of  an  out-house,  stack  of  wood,  or 
hole  in  a  wall,  near  our  habitations ;  but  when  the  Wren  builds  in 
woods,  it  generally  does  this  in  some  bush  near  the  ground,  on  the 


194 


TITS   CHAFFINCH,  OR   PIEFINCH. 


stump  of  a  tree,  or  even  on  the  ground.  The  female  lays  from  ten  to 
eighteen  eggs.  The  materials  of  the  nest  are  generally  adapted  to  the 
place  where  it  is  formed.  If  against  a  hay-rick,  its  exteiior  is  com- 
posed of  hay :  if  against  the  side  of 
a  tree  clad  with  white  lichens,  it  is 
covered  with  that  substance;  and,  if 
built  against  a  tree  covered  with 
green  moss,  or  in  a  bank,  its  exterior 
bears  a  similar  correspondence. 

The  lining  is  invariably  of  feathers. 
The  Wren  does  not,  as  is  usual  with 
most  other  birds,  begin  the  bottom  of 
its  nest  first.  When  against  a  tree, 
its  primary  operation  is  to  trace  upon 
the  bark,  the  outline,  and  thus  to 
fasten  it  with  equal  strength  to  all 
parts.  It  then,  in  succession,  closes 
the  sides  and  top,  leaving  only  a 
small  hole  for  entrance.  If  the  nest 

111T  ill  •  THE    WKRW. 

be  placed  under  a  bank,  the  top  is 

first  begun  and  is  well  secured  in  some  small  cavity ;  and  by  this  the 

fabric  is  suspended. 

The  song  of  the  Wren  is  much  admired  ;  being  a  pleasing  warble, 
and  louder  than  could  be  expected  from  the  size  of  the  bird.  This  it 
continues  throughout  the  year :  these  birds  have  been  heard  to  sing 
unconcerned  even  during  a  fall  of  snow.  They  also  sing  very  late  in 
the  evening ;  though  not,  like  the  Nightingale,  after  dark. 

THE  CHAFFINCH,   OB  PIEFINCH. 

The  Chaffinch  or  Piefinch,  as  it  is  often  called,  is  so  well  known  as 
to  need  no  description.  It  is 
chiefly  remarkable  for  the  beau- 
tiful nest  which  it  constructs.  The 
forks  of  a  thorn  or  a  wild  crab-tree 
are  favorite  places  for  the  nest, 
which  is  composed  of  mosses,  hair, 
wool,  and  feathers,  covered  on  the 
exterior  with  lichens,  and  mosses, 
so  exactly  resembling  the  bough 
on  which  the  nest  is  placed,  that 
the  eye  is  often  deceived  by  its  ap- 
pearance. In  the  nest  four  or  five 
very  pretty  eggs  are  laid :  these  are 
of  a  reddish-brown  color,  sparely 
marked  with  deep  brown  spots, 
especially  towards  the  larger  end. 

The  name  Ccelebs  or  Bachelor,  is  given  to  this  bird,  because  the 
females  quit  this  country  about  November,  leaving  large  flocks  of 
males  behind  them. 


THE  CHAFFINCH. 


THE    SISKIN — HEDGE-SPARROW — CAT-BIRD. 


195 


THE    SISKIN. 

"The  Siskin  is  a  common  bird  in  all  the  high  parts  of  Aberdeen  shire, 

which  abound  in  fir-woods.  They 
build  generally  near  the  extremi- 
ties  of  ths  branches  of  tall  fir-trees, 
or  near  the  summit  of  the  tree. 
Sometimes  the  nest  is  found  in 
plantations  of  young  fir-wood.  In 
one  instance,  I  met  with  a  nest  not 
three  feet  from  the  ground.  I 
visited  it  every  day  until  four  or 
five  eggs  were  deposited.  During 
incubation  the  female  showed  no 
fear  at  my  approach.  On  bringing 
my  hand  close  to  the  nest,  she 
showed  some  inclination  to  pug- 

THE    SISKIN.  .  .  .  r       O 

nacity,  and   tried,   to  irighten  me 

away  with  her  open  bill,  following  my  hand  round  and  round  when 
I  attempted  to  touch  her.  At  last  she  would  only  look  anxiously 
round  to  my  finger  without  making  any  attack  on  me.  The  nest  was 
formed  of  small  twigs  of  birch  or  heath  outside,  and  neatly  lined 
with  hair."  Its  eggs  are  a  bluish-white  spotted  with  purplish-red. 

THE    HEDGE-ACCENTOR,    OR    HEDGE-SPARROW.    . 

The  Hedge- Accentor,  or  Hedge-Sparrow,  is  one  of  our  commonest 

English  birds,  closely  resembling 
the  common  Sparrow,  in  appear- 
ance. The  nest  is  built  in  holeSj 
and  contains  five  blue  eggs  like 
those  of  the  Redstart,  but  stouter 
in  shape,  and  of  a  deeper  blue. 

It  is  often  very  bold  when  en- 
gaged in  sitting,  and  will  permit 
a  near  approach  without  leaving- 
the  nest.  I  have  repeatedly 
visited  the  nest  of  one  of  these- 
birds  while  the  female  was  sitting, 
and  have  parted  the  boughs  of 
the  shrub  where  the  nest  was 
placed,  in  order  to  get  a  good  view,  while  the  hen  bird  still  sat 
quietly  in  the  nest  anxiously  watching  everv  movement  but  net 
attempting  to  stir. 


HEDGE  ACCENTOR. 


THE    CAT-BIRD. 

This  quaint  and  familiar  songster  passes  the  winter  in  the  southern 
extremities  of  the  United  States.     About  the  middle  of  April  they  are 
13 


196 


FIERY-CROWNED  KINGLET. 


first  seen   in   Pennsylvania.     They  continue  their   migration   also  to 
Canada. 

The  Cat-bird  often  tunes  nis  cheerful  song  before  the  break  of 
day,  hopping  from  bush  to  bush,  with  great  agility  after  his  insect 
prey,  while  yet  scarcely  distinguishable  amidst  the  dusky  shadows 
of  the  dawn.  The  notes  of  different  individuals  vary  considerably 
A  quaint  sweetness,  however,  prevails  in  all  his  efforts,  and  his  song 
is  frequently  made  up  of  short  and  blended  imitations  of  other  biro's, 
given,  however,  with  great  emphasis,  melody,  and  variety  of  tone; 
and,  like  the  Nightingale,  invading  the  hours  of  repose,  in  the  late 
twilight  of  a  summer's  evening,  when  scarce  another  note  is  heard, 
but  the  hum  of  the  drowsy  beetle,  his  music  attains  its  full  effect,  and 
often  rises  and  falls  with  all  the  swell  and  studied  cadence  of  finished 
narmony.  During  the  heat  of  the  day,  or  late  in  the  morning,  the 
variety  of  his  song  declines,  or  he  pursues  his  employment  in  silence 
and  retirement. 


THE  AMERICAN  FIERY- CROWNED   KINGLET. 

This  diminutive  bird  is  found,  according  to  the  season,  not  only 
throughout  North  America,  but  even  in  the  West  Indies.  A  second 
species  with  a  Fiery  Crest  (./?.  ignicapillus),  and  a  third  indigenous  to 
Asia,  are  very  nearly  related  to  the  present;  the  first  having  been 
generally  confounded  with  it,  or  considered  as  a  variety  of  the  same 


THE     BLUE-BIRD. 


197 


species.  Learned  ornithologists  have  referred  our  bird  without  hesi- 
tation to  the  Fiery-crested  Wren,  with  which,  however,  it  only  agrees 
in  the  brilliancy  of  the  crown ;  and,  instead  of  being  less,  is  indeed 
larger  than  the  true  Golden -crested  species.  Like  the  former,  they 
appear  associated  only  in  pairs,  and  are  seen  on  their  southern 
route,  in  part  of  Massachusetts,  a  few  days  in  October,  and  about  the 
middle  of  the  month,  or  a  little  earlier  or  later  according  to  the  set 
ting  in  of  the  season,  as  they  appear  to  fly  before  the  desolating 
Btorms  of  the  northern  regions,  whither  they  retire  about  May  to 
breed.  Some  of  these  birds  remain  in  Pennsylvania  until  December 
or  January,  proceeding  probably  but  little  farther  south  during  the 
winter.  They  are  not  known  to  reside  in  any  part  of  New  England, 
retiring  to  the  remote  and  desolate  limits  of  the  farthest  north. 


THE   BLUE-BIRD. 

This  well  known  and  familiar  favorite  inhabits  almost  the  whole 

eastern  side  of  the 
continent  of  Amer- 
ica, from  the  48th 
parallel  to  the  very 
line  of  the  tropics. 
Some  appear  to  mi- 
grate in  winter  to 
the  Bermudas  and 
Brahama  islands, 
though  most  of  those 
which  pass  the  sum- 
mer in  the  North 
only  retire  to  the 
Southern  States,  or 
the  table  land  of 
Mexico.  In  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia 
they  were  abundant 
in  January  and  Feb- 
ruary, and  even  on 
the  12th  and  28th  of 
the  former  month, 
the  weather  being 
mild,  a  few  of  these 
wanderers  warbled 

out  their  simple  notes  from  the  naked  limbs  of  the  long-leaved 
pines.  Sometimes  they  even  pass  the  winter  in  Pennsylvania,  or 
at  least  make  their  appearance  with  almost  every  relenting  of  the 
severity  of  the  winter  or  warm  gleam  of  thawing  sunshine.  From 
this  circumstance  of  their  roving  about  in  quest  of  their  scanty  food, 
like  the  hard-pressed  and  hungry  Robin  Red-breast,  who  by  degrees 
gains  such  courage  from  necessity,  as  to  enter  the  cottage  for  hia 


198 


SEDGE    WARBLERS. 


allowed  crumbs ;  it  has,  without  foundation,  been  supposed  tnat  our 
Blue-bird,  in  the  intervals  of  his  absence,  passes  the  tedious  and  stormy 
time  in  a  state  of  dormancy,  but  it  is  more  probable  that  he  flies  to 
some  sheltered  glade,  to  glean  his  frugal  fare  from  cedar  berries. 


SEBGE  WARBLERS. 


SEDG32   WARBLERS. 


The  Sedge  Warbler  is  about  five  inches  and  a  half  long,  and  eight 
and  a  quarter  broad.  This  species  inhabits  all  the  European  countries 
that  extend  from  sixty-eight  degrees,  north  latitude,  as  far  as  Greece 
and  Spain,  usually  arriving  in  April  and  leaving  again  in  October,  when 
it  wanders  as  far  as  northern  Africa.  In  Europe  it  always  frequents 
such  marshy  districts  as  are  overgrown  with  rushes,  sedge  grass,  and 
small-leafed  water  plants.  Its  flight  is  very  unsteady,  but  in  other  re- 
spects its  movements  are  unusually  nimble  and  agile;  the  song  is  pleas- 
ing, flute-like  and  very  varied.  Except  during  the  period  of  incuba- 
tion, which  commences  in  June,  these  birds  usually  lead  a  very  retired 
life  amid  the  beds  of  grass  or  rushes,  but  at  the  latter  season  they 
emerge,  and  take  up  their  quarters  on  the  surrounding  trees  and  bushes, 
where  they  engage  in  a  series  of  varied  concerts,  each  inspired  with  the 


THE   GOLDEN-CRESTED    WREN.  199 

hope  of  outdoing  its  numerous  rivals  in  the  favor  of  some  attractive 
female.  Should  any  one  of  the  feathered  competitors  venture  to  intrude 
upon  the  same  branch  as  the  energetic  singer,  he  is  at  once  driven  with 
such  violence  from  the  spot  as  to  prevent  a  repetition  of  the  offence. 
Like  other  members  of  this  family,  the  Sedge  Warbler  subsists  princi- 
pally upon  insects,  and  occasionally  devours  various  kinds  of  berries. 
The  nest,  which  is  placed  amongst  clumps  of  sedge  grass  or  rushes,  on 
marshy  ground,  at  not  more  than  a  foot  and  a  half  from  the  surface, 
is  firmly  suspended  to  the  surrounding  stalks,  and  formed  of  hay,  stub- 
ble, roots  and  green  moss,  woven  thickly  and  firmly  together,  and  lined 
with  horsehair,  feathers,  and  delicate  blades  of  grass. 

THE    GOLDEN-CRESTED   WREN. 

The  hend  and  upper  part  of  the  body  of  tins  Wren,  are  of  a  deep 

reddish  brown:  above  each  eye 
there  is  a  stroke  of  white:  the 
buck,  and  the  coverts  of  the 
wings  and  tail,  are  marked  with 
slender  transverse  black  lines; 
the  quill-feather's  with  bars  of 
black  and  red.  The  throat  is  of 
a  yellowish  white.  The  belly 
and  sides  are  crossed  with  narrow 
dusky  and  pule  reddish-brown 
lines.  The  tail  is  crossed  with 
dusky  bars. 

The    song    of   this    beautiful 
little    bird,    the   smallest   of  all 
the    British    feathered    race,    is 
THE  GOLDEN-CRESTED  WRE».  extremely  delicate  and  pleasing. 

It  is  not  much  unlike,  but  it  is 

not  quite  so  loud  as,  that  of  the  Common  Wren.  The  Golden- 
crested  Wren  may  be  easily  known  in  winter  by  its  shrill 
squeak,  somewhat  resembling  the  crinking  of  a  Grasshopper. 
Except  in  the  frosts,  it  continues  its  song  during  the  whole  year. 
These  birds  are  very  agile :  they  are  almost  continually  in  motion, 
fluttering  from  branch  to  branch,  creeping  on  all  sides  of  the  trees, 
dinging  to  them  in  every  situation,  and  often  hanging  with  their 
backs  downward,  in  the  manner  of  the  Titmice. 

Their  food  consists  chiefly  of  minute  insects,  which 'they  find  in 
the  crevices  of  the  bark  of  trees,  or  catch  nimbly  on  the  wing. 
They  also  eat  the  eggs  of  insects,  small  worms,  and  various  kind  of 
seeds.  They  delight  to  frequent  the  largest  trees,  such  as  oaks,  elms, 
and  firs. 

The  nest  of  the  Golden-crested  Wren  is  an  interesting  fabric.     It 
somewhat  resembles  that  of  the  Chaffinch ;  and  is  frequently  form- 
ed amongst  the  leaves  at  the  tip  of  a  branch  of  a  fir-tree,  where  it 
>vings  about  in  high  winds,  like  a  pendulum.     It  is  oval,  very  deep, 


200  THE   WILLOW-WREN. 

and  has  a  small  hole  near  the  middle,  for  the  ingress  and  egress  of 
the  bird.  The  materials  composing  its  exterior  are  different  species 
of  moss ;  and  within,  it  is  lined  with  wool,  hair,  and  feathers.  The 
female  lays  from  ten  to  eighteen  eggs,  and  not  unusually  brings  up  as 
many  young-ones.  "  It  may  be  ranked  among  those  daily  miracles 
of  which  we  take  no  notice,  that  this  bird  should  feed  so  great  a 
number  as  this  without  passing  over  one,  and  that  also  in  utter  dark- 
ness." The  eggs  are,  in  size,  scarcely  larger  than  peas,  and  are  of  a 
white  color,  sprinkled  with  small  dull  spots. 

These  birds  are  found  in  various  parts  of  Europe,  Asia  and 
America.  They  are  said  to  bear  well  every  change  of  temperature, 
from  the  greatest  degree  of  heat  to  that  of  the  severest  cold.  They 
continue  with  us  daring  the  whole  year :  but  Mr.  Pennant  states? 
that  they  cross  annually  from  the  Orkneys  to  the  Shetland  islands, 
whe.'e  they  breed,  and  from  which  they  return  before  the  winter 
This  is  a  long  flight  (sixty  miles)  for  so  small  a  bird. 


THE   WILLOW-WREN. 

This  bird  is  somewhat  larger  than  the  Common  Wren.  The  upper 
parts  of  the  body  are  of  a  pale  olive-green ; 
the  under  parts  are  pale  yellow,  and  a 
streak  of  yellow  passes  over  the  eyes. 
The  wings  and  tail  are  brown,  edged  with 
yellowish  green ;  and  the  legs  are  yel- 
lowish. 

The  Willow- Wren  is  not  uncommon  in 
many  parts  of  England.  It  is  migratory, 
visiting  there  usually  about  the  middle  of 
April,  and  taking  its  departure  towards  the  end  of  September.  The 
females  construct  their  nests  in  holes  at  the  roots  of  trees,  in  hollows 
of  dry  banks  and  other  similar  places.  These  are  round,  and  not 
unlike  the  nest  of  the  Wren.  The  eggs  are  dusky  white,  marked 
with  reddish  spots ;  and  are  five  in  number. 

A  Willow- Wren  had  built  in  a  bank  of  one  of  the  fields  of  Mr. 
White,  near  Selborne.  This  bird  a  friend  and  himself  observed,  as  she 
sat  in  her  nest ;  but  they  were  particularly  careful  not  to  disturb  her, 
though  she  eyed  them  with  some  degree  of  jealousy.  Some  days  after- 
wards, as  they  passed  the  same  way,  they  were  desirous  of  remarking 
how  the  brood  went  on  ;  but  no  nest  could  be  found,  till  Mr.  White 
happened  to  take  up  a  large  bundle  of  long  green  moss,  which  had 
been  thrown  as  it  were  carelessly  over  the  nest,  in  order  to  mislead 
the  eye  of  any  impertinent  obtruder. 

The  Willow- Wren  may  justly  be  termed  the  Nightingale  of  the 
northern  snowy  countries  of  Europe.  It  settles  on  the  most  lofty 
branches  of  the  birch-trees,  and  makes  the  air  resound  with  its  bold 
and  melodious  song.  It  is  always  smart  and  cheerful — to  it  all  weathers 
are  alike.  The  big  drops  of  a  thunder  shower  no  more  wet  it  than  the 
drizzle  of  a  Scotcli  mist. 


THE   AMERICAN    HOUSE-WREN. 


201 


HOUSE    WHEN     KKEIUA'G    UtK    YOUNG. 


THE  AMERICAN   HOUSE-WREN. 

This  lively,  cheerful,  capricious,  and  well  known  little  minstrel,  saya 
Nuttall,  is  only  a  summer  resident  in  the  United  States.  Its  northern 

migrations  extend  to 
Labrador.  But  it 
resides  and  rears  its 
young  principally  in 
the  Middle  States. 
My  friend,  Mr.  Say, 
also  observed  this 
species  near  Pem- 
bino,  beyond  the 
sources  of  the 
Mississippi,  in  the 
Western  wilderness 
of  the  49th  degree 
of  latitude.  It  is 
likewise  said  to  be 
an  inhabitant  of 
Surinam  within  the 
tropics,  where  its 
delightful  melody  has  gained  it  the  nickname  of  the  Nightingale. 
This  region,  or  the  intermediate  country  of  Mexico,  is  probably  the 
winter  quarters  of  our  domestic  favorite.  In  Louisiana  it  is  unknown 
even  as  a  transient  visitor,  migrating  apparently  to  the  east  of  the 
Mississippi,  and  sedulously  avoiding  the  region  generally  inhabited 
by  the  Carolina  Wren.  It  is  a  matter  of  surprise  how  this,  and  some 
other  species,  with  wings  so  short  and  a  flight  so  fluttering,  are  ever 
capable  of  arriving  and  returning  from  such  distant  countries.  At 
any  rate,  come  from  where  he  may,  he  makes  his  appearance  in  the 
middle  States  about  the  12th  or  loth  of  April,  and  is  seen  in  New 
England  in  the  latter  end  of  that  month  or  by  the  beginning  of  May. 
They  take  their  departure  for  the  South  towards  the  close  of  September, 
or  early  in  October,  and  are  not  known  to  winter  within  the  limits  of 
the  Union. 

Some  time  in  the  early  part  of  May,  our  little  social  visitor  enters 
actively  into  the  cares  as  well  as  pleasures  which  preside  instinctively 
over  the  fiat  of  propagation.  His  nest,  from  preference,  near  the  house?, 
is  placed  beneath  the  eaves,  in  some  remote  corner  under  a  shed,  out- 
house, barn,  or  in  a  hollow  orchard  tree ;  also  in  the  deserted  cell  of 
the  Woodpecker,  and  ,  when  provided  with  the  convenience,  in  a 
wooden  box  along  with  the  Martins  and  Blue-birds.  He  will  make 
his  nest  even  la  an  old  hat,  nailed  up,  and  perforated  with  a  hole  for 
entrance,  or  the  skull  of  an  Ox  stuck  upon  a  pole  ;  and  Audubon  saw 
one  deposited  in  the  pocket  of  a  broken  down  carriage.  So  pertina- 
cious is  the  House  Wren  in  thus  claiming  the  convenience  and  pro- 
tection of  human  society,  that  according  to  Wilson,  an  instance  once 


202 


THE   MOCKING  WREN MARSH   WREN. 


occurred  where  a  nest  was  made  in  the  sleeve  of  a  mower's  coat,  whicb, 
in  the  month  of  June,  was  hung  up  accidentally  for  two  or  three  days 
in  a  shed  near  a  barn. 


THE   CAROLINA,    OR    MOCKING  WREN. 

THIS  remarkable,  mimicking,  and  Musical  Wren,  says  Nuttall,  is  a 
Constant  resident  in  the  Southern 
States,  from  Virginia  to  Florida,  but 
is  rarely  seen  at  any  season  north  of 
the  line  of  Maryland  or  Delaware, 
though,  attracted  by  the  great  river 
courses,  they  are  abundant  from 
Fittsburg  to  New  Orleans.  A  few 
individuals  stray,  in  the  course  of 
the  spring,  as  far  as  the  line  of  New 
York,  and  appear  in  New  Jersey  and 
the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia  early  in 
the  month  of  May.  On  the  17th  of 
April,  returning  from  a  Southern 
tour  of  great  extent,  I  again  recog- 
nised my  old  and  pleasing  acquain- 
tance, by  his  usual  note,  near  Chester, 
on  the  Delaware,  where,  I  have  little 
doubt,  a  few  remain  and  pass  the 
summer,  retiring  to  the  South  only 
as  the  weather  becomes  inclement. 
On  the  banks  of  the  Patapsco,  near 
Baltimore,  their  song  is  still  heard  to 
the  close  of  November.  According 
to  Audubon,  the  nest  of  this  bird  is  usually  placed  in  a  hole  in  some 
low  and  decayed  tree,  or  in  a  fence  post ;  sometimes  also  in  a  stable, 
barn,  or  out-house.  The  materials  employed  are  hay,  dry  grass,  and 
leaves,  for  the  outer  part ;  with  a  lining  of  horse-hair,  or  the  capillary 
dry  fibres  of  the  Long-moss  (Tillandsia.  Sometimes  the  nest  is  five 
or  six  inches  deep,  but,  with  the  usual  precaution  of  the  family,  so 
arrow  in  the  entrance  as  only  to  admit  of  one  of  the  birds  at  a  time. 
The  eggs,  five  to  eight,  are  oval,  and  greyish-white,  spotted  with 
reddish-brown.  Like  the  common  species,  an  individual  (probably 
one  of  the  young  birds)  has  been  observed  to  roost  for  a  time  in  an  old 
Wood-Thrush's  nest  which  had  been  filled  with  fallen  leaves.  They 
are  so  prolific  as  to  raise  two,  and  sometimes  three  broods  in  a  season. 


THE   MOCKlNG-'WXE.f. 


SHORT-BILLEF    MARSH-WREN. 


THIS  amusing  and  not  unmusical  little  species  inhabits  the  lowest 
marshy  meadows,  but  does  not  frequent  the  reed-flats.  It  never  visits 
cultivated  grounds,  and  is  at  all  times  shy,  timid,  and  suspicious.  It 
an  ives  in  Massachusetts  about  the  close  of  the  first  week  in  May,  and 


THE    TAILOR-BIRD. 


203 


SHORT-B11!L1.I>   MARSH-WREN. 


retires  to  the  South  by  the  middle  of  September  at  farthest,  probably  by 
night,  as  it  is  never  seen  in  progress,  so  that  its  northern  residence  is 
only  prolonged  about  four  months.  In  winter  they  are  seen  from 
South  Carolina  to  Texas. 

The  nest  of  the  Short-Billed  Marsh-Wren  is  made  wholly  of  dry,  or 

partly  green  sedge,  bent 
usually  from  the  top  of 
the  grassy  tuft  in  which 
the  fabric  is  situated. 
W  ith  much  ingenuity 
and  labor  these  simple 
materials  are  loosely 
entwined  together  into 
a  spherical  form,  with  a 
small  and  rather  ob- 
scure entrance  left  in 
the  side ;  a  thin  lining 
is  sometimes  added  to 
the  whole,  of  the  linty 
fibres  of  the  silk  weed, 
or  some  other  similar 
material.  The  eggs, 
pure  white,  and  des- 
titute of  spots,  are  probably  from  six  to  eight.  In  a  nest  containing 
seven  eggs,  there  were  three  of  them  larger  than  the  rest,  and  per- 
fectly fresh,  while  the  four  smaller  were  far  advanced  towards  hatching ; 
from  this  circumstance  we  may  fairly  infer  that  two  different  individ- 
uals had  laid  in  the  same  nest :  a  circumstance  more  common  among 
wild  birds  than  is  generally  imagined.  This  is  also  the  more 
remarkable,  as  the  male  of  this  species,  like  many  other  Wrens,  is 
much  employed  in  making  nests,  of  which  not  more  than  one  in  three 
or  four  are  ever  occupied  by  the  females ! 

THE    TAILOR-BIRD. 

This,  like  the  last  two,  is  a  very  small  species,  measuring  scarcely 
more  than  three  inches  in  length. 

It   is   a   native   of  India. 

The  nest  of  the  Tailor-bird  is  a  very  remarkable 
production.  Its  exterior  is  constructed  of  two  leaves ; 
the  one  generally  dead,  which  the  bird  fixes,  at  the 
end  of  some  branch,  to  the  side  of  a  living  one,  by 
sewing  both  together  with  little  filaments,  in  the 
manner  of  a  pouch  or  purse,  and  open  at  the  top. 
In  this  operation  the  bill  of  the  bird  serves  as  a 
needle.  Sometimes,  instead  ot  a  dead  leaf  and  a 
living  one,  two  living  leaves  are  so^ed  together; 
and,  thus  connected  they  seem  rather  the  work  of 
human  art  than  of  an  uninstructed  animal.  After 
BIRD'S  NESS  the  operation  of  sewing  is  finished,  the  cavity  is 


204 


TIIE   TITMICE. 


lined  with  feathers  and  soft  vegetable  down.  The  nest  and  birds 
are  together  so  extremely  light,  that  the  leaves  of  the  most  exterior 
and  slender  twigs  of  the  trees  are  chosen  for  the  purpose ;  and, 
thus  situated,  the  brood  is  completely  secured  from  the  depreda- 
tions of  every  invader.  The  Common  Wren  is  smaller;  the  plumage 
is  reddish  brown,  streaked  with  pale  black.  It  is  lively  and  social, 
constantly  seeking  the  vicinity  of  man. 


THE  COMMON   WREN. 


OF  THE  TITMICE  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  bill  is  straight,  strong,  hard,  sharp-pointed,  and  a  little  com 
pressed.  The  nostrils  are  round,  and  covered  with  bristles.  The 
iongue  appears  as  if  cut  off  at  the  extremity,  and  is  terminated  by 
three  or  four  bristles.  The  toes  are  divided  to  their  origin  ;  and  the 
oack  toe  is  very  large  and  strong. 

This  is  a  diminutive  but  sprightly  race  of  birds ;  possessed  both  of 
courage  and  strength.  Their  general  food  consists  of  seeds,  fruit, 
and  insects ;  and  a  few  of  them  eat  flesh.  Some  of  them  will  ven- 
ture to  assault  birds  that  are  twice  or  thrice  their  own  bulk ;  and,  in 
ibis  case,  they  direct  their  aim  chiefly  at  the  eyes.  They  often  seixe 
upon  birds  that  are  weaker  than  themselves :  these  they  kill,  and, 


THE   PENDULINE   TITMOUSE.  205 

having  picked  a  hole  in  the  skull,  eat  out  the  brain.  They  are  very 
prolific,  laying  eighteen  or  twenty  eggs  at  a  time.  Their  voice  is,  in 
general,  unpleasant. 

THE  PENDULINE   TITMOUSE,  AND  CAPE  TITMOUSE. 

These  birds  are  about  four  inches  and  a  half  in  length.  The  fore 
part  of  the  head  is  whitish,  and  the  hind 
part  and  the  'neck  are  ash -colored.  The 
upper  parts  of  the  plumage  are  grey ;  the 
forehead  is  black ;  the  throat  and  the  front 
of  the  neck  are  of  a  very  pale  ash-color;  and 
the  rest  of  -the  under  parts  are  yellowish. 
The  quills  and  tail  are  brown,  edged  with 

In  -the  construction  of  their  nests,  the 
Penduline  or  Bottle  Titmice  employ  chiefly  the  light  down  of  the  wil- 
low, the  poplar,  and  the  aspen;  or  of  thistles,  dandelions,  and  other 
flowers.  With  their  bill  they  entwine  these  filamentous  substances,  and 
form  a  thick,  close  web,  almost  like  cloth,  this  they  fortify  extevnally 
with  fibres  and  small  roots,  which  penetrate  into  the  texture,  and  in 
some  measure  compose  the  basis  of  the  nest.  They  line  the  inside 
with  down,  but  not  woven,  in  order  that  their  offspring  may  lie  soft. 
They  close  the  nest  above,  for  the  purpose  of  confining  the  warmth  • 
and  they  suspend  it  with  hemp,  nettles,  &c.,  from  th-e  cleft  of  a  small 
pliant  branch,  (over  some  stream)  that  it  may  rock  more  gently, 
assisted  by  the  spring  of  the  branch.  In  this  situation  the  brood  are 
well  supplied  with  insects,  which  constitute  their  chief  food ;  and 
they  are  also  thus  protected  from  their  enemies.  The  nest  sometimes 
resembles  a  bag,  and  sometimes  a  short  purse.  The  aperture  is  mado 
in  the  side,  is  nearly  round,  not  more  than  an  inch  and  a  half  in 
diameter,  and  commonly  surrounded  by  a  brim  more  or  less  protu- 
berant. 

These  nests  are  seen  in  great  numbers  in  the  fens  of  Bologna,  and 
m  those  of  Tuscany,  Lithuania,  Poland,  and  Germany.  The  peasants 
regard  them  with  superstitious  veneration  :  one  of  them  is'  usually 
paspended  near  the  door  of  each  cottage  ;  and  the  possessors  esteem 
it  a  defence  against  thunder,  and  its  little  architect  is  a  sacred  bird. 
r''he  penduline  Titmice  frequent  watery  places,  for  the  sake  of  aquatic 
j  > sects,  on  which  they  feed. 

The  Cape  Titmouse,  constructs  its  nest  of  the  down  of  a  species  of 
asclepias.  This  luxurious  nest  is  made  of  the 
texture  of  flannel,  and  equals  fleecy  hosiery 
in  softness.  Near  the  upper  end  projects  a 
small  tube',  about  an  inch  in  length,  with  an 
orifice  about  three- fourths  of  an  inch  in 
diameter.  Immediately  under  the  tube  is  a 
small  hole  in  the  side,  that  has  no  cominuhica 
tion  with  the  interior  of  the  nest;  in  this 
hole,  the  male  sits  at  night,  and  thus  both  male 
THE  CAPE  TITMOUSE.  and  female  are  screened  from  the  weather 


206 


THE  BLUE  TITMOUSE — GREAT  TITMOUSE. 


THE  BLUE  TITMOUSE. 

The  bill  is  short  and  dusky.  The  crown  of  the  head  is  of  a  fine 
blue  color.  From  the  bill  to  the  eyes  there  is  a  black  line.  The  fore- 
head and  cheeks  are 
white.  The  back  is 
of  a  yellowish  green  ; 
and  the  lower  Hide 
of  the  body  yellow. 
The  wings  and  tail 
are  bine,  the  former 
marked  transversely 
with  a  white  bar. 
The  legs  arc  lead- 
colored. 

This  busy  little 
bird  is  frequently 
seen  in  our  gardens 
and  orchards,  where 
its  operations  are 
much  dreaded  by  the 
over-anxious  gardener,  who  fears,  lest,  in  pursuit  of  its  favorite  food, 
which  is  often  lodged  in  the  fender  buds,  it  may  destroy  them  also,  to 
the  injury  of  his  future  harvest:  not  considering  that  the  Titmouse  is 
the  means  of  destroying  a  much  more  dangerous  enemy  (the  caterpillar). 


ELPE  TITMOUSE. 


THE   GREAT   TITMOUSE. 

The  Great  Titmouse  is  common  in  this  country,  frequenting  gardens, 

orchards,  copses, 
etc.  During  the 
spring  it  is  very 
active  in  the  cap- 
ture of  insects,  but 
in  autumn  and 
winter  it  is  forced 
to  content  itself 
with  grains  and 
seeds  of  various 
descriptions. 
Gilbert  White,  in 
his  "Selbornc," 
mentions  that  he 
has  seen  the  Great 
Tit  "while it  hung 
with  its  back 
down  wards,  to  my 
no  small  delight 
and  admiration, 
draw  straws 
lengthwise  from 

THE    GREAT   TITMOUSE.  \_\\Q        C  a   V  C  S        O   f 


THE    LONG-TAILED    TITMOUSE. 


207 


them,  and  that  in  such  numbers  that  they  quite  defaced  the  thatch,  and 
gave  it  a  ragged  appearance." 

The  nest  of  this  bird  is  bui]t  in  the  hole  of  a  wall,  or  a  decayed  tree, 
and  in  it  are  placed  six  or  eight  eggs,  of  a  white  color,  spotted  with 
reddish  brown.  The  length  of  the  bird  is  about  six  inches. 


1.   GREATER   TIT.  2.    BIAJE   TTT.  3.    COAT,   TTT.  4.    MARSH   TIT. 

THE   LONG-TAILED    TITMOUSE. 

The  Long-tailed  Titmouse  is  another  well-known  species  of  this  amus- 
ing family.  Unlike  the  other  Tits,  it  does  not  frequent  human  habita- 
tions during  the  winter,  but  may  be  seen  in  great  numbers  twisting  and 
creeping  about  the  branches  of  hedge-rows  and  field  trees.  In  summer 
'they  are  quite  as  bold  as  their  relations,  and  especially  favor  apple- 
trees,  for  the  sake  of  the  diseased  buds^  which  the/  pick  off  and  devour, 


208  THE    COAL-TIT — MARSH-TIT — TUFTED   TITMOUSE. 

thereby  drawing  upon  themselves  the  vengeance  of  the  gardener,  who 
prepares  his  gun,  fires  at  the  supposed  depredators,  and  possibly  succeeds 
in  killing  them  ;  but  he  has  also  succeeded  in  doing  more  damage  to 
the  healthy  buds  by  his  spare  shot,  than  a  score  of  Tits  would  injure 
during  the  entire  season. 

The  beautiful  and  elaborate  nest  which  this  bird  constructs  is  one 
of  its  chief  peculiarities.  It  is  oval  in  shape,  and  entirely  closed, 
except  one  small  hole  at  the  side,  just  large  enough  to  admit  the  bird. 
The  exterior  of  the  nest  is  usually  covered  with  lichens,  and  is  lined 
with  a  thick  layer  of  soft  feathers.  In  this  warm  and  elegant  habita 
tion  are  laid  from  ten  to  fourteen  eggs,  which  are  small  and  very 
delicately  spotted.  The  entire  length  of  the  bird  is  about  live  inches 
and  a  half. 

THE   COAL  TIT. 

The  Coal-Tit  is  very  similar  to  the  Blue-Tit  in  form,  but  smaller, 
being  about  four  inches  in  length,  and  destitute  of  the  lively  colors 
which  render  that  bird  so  agreeable  to  the  eye.  The  breast  of  the 
Coal-Tit  is  of  a  greyish-white,  the  back  yellowish- grey,  and  the  feet 
and  claws  of  a  livid  blue;  the  head  and  neck  are  of  a  deep  black, 
(whence  it  has  been  called  the  Lesser  Blackcap,)  with  a  patch  of  white 
on  each  cheek,  and  another  on  the  nape  of  the  neck.  This  bird  is  not 
very  common  in  England,  but  in  Scotland,  where  it  frequents  the 
forests  of  pine  and  fir,  it  is  more  abundant,  and  may  be  seen  through 
out  the  year,  except  in  very  severe  weather,  when  it  departs  south 
ward,  or  approaches  the  farm-houses  and  towns  to  seek  for  food. 

THE   MARSH-TIT. 

The  Marsh-Tit  is  very  like  the  preceding  in  color  and  form,  though 
larger,  bat  has  no  white  on  the  nape  of  the  neck.  It  is  very  common 
in  the  northern  parts  of  England,  but  is  seldom  seen  in  Scotland  above 
Fifeshire,  and  scarcely  ever  so  far  south  as  London.  Although  it 
may  be  sometimes  met  with  in  the  woods  in  dry  districts,  it  is  more 
frequently  to  be  found  among  the  reeds  in  low  marshy  tracts,  where 
it  makes  its  nest,  generally  choosing  some  decayed  willow  for  a 
foundation.  The  Marsh-Tit  is  also  known  provincially  as  the  Smaller 
One  eye,  Willow-Biter,  Joe  Bent,  &c. 


THE   TUFTED   TITMOUSE. 

This  species  is  six  and  a  half  inches  long,  and  nine  in  the  stretch  of 
the  wings.  Above,  dark  bluish -ash ;  the  front  black  tinged  with 
reddish.  Beneath  sullied  white,  except  the  sides  under  the  wings, 
which  are  pale  reddish -brown.  Legs  and  feet  greyish  blue.  Bill 
black.  Iris  hazel.  The  crest  high  and  poin  .ed,  like  that  of  the  common 
Blue  Jay.  Tail  slightly  forked.  Tips  ol  the  wings  dusky.  Tongue 
blunt  erding  in  four  sharp  points.  Female  very  similar  to  the  male. 


THE   CHICADEE,   OR   BLACK-CAPT  TITMOUSE 


209 


CHICADEE,    OK    BLACK-CAPT    TITMOUSE. 

TLis  familiar,  hardy,  and  restless  little  bird  chiefly  inhabits  the 
Northern  and  Middle 
States,  as  well  as  Can- 
ada in  which  it  is  even 
resident  in  winter 
round  Hudson's  Bay, 
and  has  been  met  with 
at  62°  on  the  North- 
west ccast.  In  all  the 
Northern  and  Middle 
States,  daring  autumn 
and  winter,  families  of 
these  birds  are  seen 
chattering  and  roving 
through  the  woods, 

busily     engaged     in  THE  CHICADEE. 

gleaning  their  multi- 
farious food,  along  with  the  preceding  species,  Nuthatches,  ana 
Creepers,  the  whole  forming  a  busy,  active,  and  noisy  group,  whose 
manners,  food,  and  habits  bring  them  together  in  a  common  pursuit. 
Their  diet  varies  with  the  season,  for  besides  insects,  their  larvae,  and 
eggs,  of  which  they  are  more  particularly  fond,  in  the  month  of  Sep- 
tember they  leave  the  woods  and  assemble  familiarly  in  our  orchards 
and  gardens,  and  even  enter  the  thronging  cities  in  quest  of  that  sup- 
port which  their  native  forests  now  deny  them.  Large  seeds  of  many 
kinds,  particularly  those  which  are  oily,  as  the  Sun-flower,  and  Pine 
and  Spruce  Kernels  are  now  sought  after.  These  seeds,  in  the  usual 
manner  of  the  genus,  are  seized  in  the  claws  and  held  against  the 
branch,  until  picked  open  by  the  bill  to  obtain  their  contents.  Fat 
of  various  kinds  is  also  greedily  eaten,  and  they  regularly  watch  the 
retreat  of  the  hog-.killers,  in  the  country,  to  glean  up  the  fragments 
of  meat  which  adhere  to  the  places  where  the  carcases  have  been 
suspended. 

Its  quaint  notes  and  jingling  warble  are  heard  even  in  winter  on 
fine  days  when  the  weather  relaxes  in  its  severity.  It  adds  by  its 
presence,  indomitable  action,  and  chatter,  an  air  of  cheerfulness  to 
the  silent  and  dreary  winters  of  the  coldest  parts  of  America.  Dr. 
Richardson  found  it  in  the  fur  countries  up  to  the  65th  parallel,  -v\here 
it  contrives  to  dwell  throughout  the  whole  year. 

A  woodcutter  in  Maine  one  day  at  work  had  scarcely  hung  up  his 
basket  of  provisions  when  a  flock  of  these  birds,  observing  it,  gathered 
into  it  and  attacked  a  piece  of  cold  beef,  but  after  each  peck  he  saw 
their  heads  raised  above  the  edge,  as  if  to  guard  against  danger;  when 
they  were  tired  they  left  the  basket  and  perched  over  his  fire,  where 
they  sat  till  he  began  his  dinner,  when  in  the  most  plaintive  tones  they 
seemed  to  solicit  a  portion. 


210 


THE   CEDAR    BIRD,    OR   CHERRY-BIRD. 


THE   CEDAR   BIRD,  OR   CHERRY  BIRD. 

This   common   native   wanderer,  which   in    the   summer   extends 

its  migrations  to  the  re- 
motest unpeopled  regions 
of  Canada,*  is  also  found 
throughout  the  American 
continent  to  Mexico,  and 
parties  occasionally  even 
roam  to  the  tropical  forest 
of  Cayenne.  In  all  this 
extensive  geographical 
range,  where  great  eleva- 
tion or  latitude  tempers  the 
climate  so  as  to  be  favorable 
to  the  production  of  juicy 
fruits,  the  Cedar  Bird  will 
probably  be  found  either 
almost  wholly  to  reside  or 
to  pass  the  season  of  repro- 
duction Like  its  European 
representative  (the  Waxen 
Chatterer,)  it  is  capable  of 
braving  a  considerable 
degree  of  cold,  for  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  New  Jersey 
some  of  these  birds  are 

seen  throughout  the  winter,  where  as  well  as  in  the  early  part  of  the 
Bummer  and  fall,  they  are  killed  and  brought  to  market,  generally  fat, 
and  much  esteemed  as  food.  Silky  softness  of  plumage,  gentleness 
of  disposition,  innocence  of  character,  extreme  sociability,  and  an 
innate  inextinguishable  love  of  freedom,  accompanied  by  a  constant 
desire  of  wandering,  are  characteristic  traits  in  the  physical  and  moral 
portrait  of  the  second  as  well  as  the  preceding  species  of  this  pecu- 
liar and  extraordinary  genus. 

Leaving  the  northern  part  of  the  continent,  situated  beyond  the 
40th  degree,  at  the  approach  of  winter,  they  assemble  in  companies 
of  twenty  to  a  hundred,  and  wander  through  the  Southern  States  and 
Mexico  to  the  confines  of  the  equator,  in  all  of  which  countries  they 
are  now  either  common  or  abundant.  As  observed  by  Audubon, 
their  flight  is  easy,  continued,  and  often  performed  at  a  considerable 
neight ;  and  they  move  in  flocks  or  companies,  making  several  turns 
before  they  alight.  As  the  mildness  of  spring  returns,  and  with  it 
their  favorite  food,  they  re-appear  in  the  Northern  and  Eastern  States 
about  the  beginning  of  April,  before  the  ripening  of  their  favorite 


*  Seen  by  Mr.  Say  near  Winipique  river  in  latitude  50,  and  by  Mr.  Drummond 
on -the  south  branch  of  the  Saskatchewan. 


THE   BOHEMIAN   WAX-WING,  OR   WAXEN   CHATTERER.        211 

fruits,  the  cherries  and  mulberries.  But  at  this  season,  to  repay  the 
gardener  for  the  tithe  of  his  crop,  their  natural  due,  they  fail  not  to 
assist  in  ridding  his  trees  of  more  deadly  enemies  which  infest  them, 
and  the  small  caterpillars,  beetles,  and  various  insects  now  constitute 
their  only  food ;  and  for  hours  at  a  time  they  may  be  seen  feeding  on 
the  all-despoiling  Canker-worms,  which  infest  our  Apple  trees  and 
Elms.  On  these  occasions,  silent  and  sedate,  after  plentifully  feeding, 
they  sit  dressing  their  feathers,  in  near  contact  on  the  same  branch 
to  the  number  of  five  or  six;  and  as  the  season  of  selective  attach- 
ment approaches,  they  may  be  observed  pluming  each  other,  and 
caressing  with  the  most  gentle  fondness;  a  playfulness,  in  which, 
however,  they  are  even  surpassed  by  the  contemned  Raven,  to  which 
social  and  friendly  family  our  Cedar  Bird,  different  as  he  looks,  has 
many  traits  of  alliance. 


THE   BOHEMIAN  WAXWING,    OR  WAXEN   CHATTERER. 

The  Bohemian  Waxwing,  or  Waxen  Chatterer,  is  only  occasionally 
seen  in  England  during 
severe  frosts,  at  which 
time  flocks  of  them 
sometimes  arrive.  One 
of  these  birds  was  shot 
at  Oxford  in  the  winter 
of  1846.  It  is  very  com- 
mon in  Norway  and 
Russia,  and  is  plentiful 
in  North  America.  The 
name  of  Waxwing  is 
given  to  it  from  the  sin 
gular  appendages  to  the 
secondary  quill  feathers, 
bearing  much  resem- 
blance to  a  drop  of  red 
sealing-wax  pressed  on 
the  wing. 

Berries  of  all  kinds, 
especially  those  of  the 
dog-rose  and  the  haw- 
thorn, form  the  principal 
food  of  this  bird;  but  it 
is  related  that  when  in 
captivity  it  rejects 
scarcely  any  vegetable 
substance,  but  loses  at 
the  same  time  all  its 
vivacity  and  social 
habits.  ^  The  note  of  the  Waxwing  is  not  unlike  that  of  the  Thrush, 
but  it  is  very  weak  and  more  uncertain  than  the  notes  of  that  beau- 
14 


THE  BOHEMIAN  WAXWING. 


212 


OF    THE   SWALLOWS   IN    GENERAL. 


kiful  songster.  While  singing  it  agitates  the  crest  on  its  head,  but 
shows  scarcely  any  of  that  swelling  in  the  throat  so  preceptible  in  the 
Canary  and  other  singing  birds. 

The  length  of  the  bird  is  rather  more  than  eight  inches. 


THE   JAPANESE   CHATTERER. 


This  is  a  species  found  in  Japan,  with  naked  nostrils,  and  without 
*he  usual  wax-like  appendages  to  the  wings  which  give  this  genus 
the  name  of  Waxwing.  It  is  ash-colored,  with  an  ash-colored  and  red 
creat. 


OF    THE   SWALLOWS  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  bill  of  the  Swallow  is  short  broad  at  the  base,  small  at  the 

point,  and  some- 
what bent.  The 
nostrils  are  open. 
The  tongue  is  ^iort, 
broad,  and  cloven. 
The  tail,  except  in 
one  species  is  fork- 
ed ;  and  the  wings 
are  long.  The  legs 
are  short,  and  (ex- 
cept in  four  species, 
in  wliich  they  are 
all  placed  forward) 
the  toes  are  placed 
tli  ree  before  and  one 
<£  behind. 

Swallows  are 
easily  distinguished 
from  all  other  birds, 
not  only  by  their 
general  structure,  but  by  their  twittering  voice,  and  their  manner 
of  life.  They  fly  with  great  rapidity,  seldom  walk,  and  perform  all 
their  functions  either  on  the  wing  or  sitting.  By  means  of  their 
wide  mouth  they  easily  catch  insects  in  the  air,  or  on  the  surface  of 
t  je  water ;  and  on  these  they  subsist. 

N  aturalists  have  been  much  divided  in  their  opinions  respecting  the 
migration  of  the  Swallow  tribe  from  this  country. 

That  the  actual  migration  of  the  Swallow  tribe  does  take  place,  has 
been  fully  proved  from  a  variety  of  well -attested  facts  ;  most  of  which 
have  been  taken  from  the  observation  of  navigators  who  were  eye- 
witnesses of  their  flights,  and  whose  ships  have  sometimes  afforded  toi 
them  resting-places  in  their  toilsome  journeys. 


THE    SWALLOW. 


THE  CHIMNEY   SWALLOW. 


213 


THB  CHIMNEY   SWALLOW. 


THE    CHIMNEY    SWALLOW. 

During  the  summer  months  this  Swallow  takes  up  its  residence  in 
this  country,  building 
its  nest  generally  in  the 
insides  of  our  chimneys, 
a  few  feet  from  the  top. 
This  nest  is  composed 
of  mud  mixed  with 
straw  and  hair,  and 
lined  with  feathers.  It 
lays  four  or  five  eggs, 
and  has  two  broods  in 
the  year. 

The  progressive 
method  by  which  the 
young-ones  are  intro- 
duced to  their  proper 
habits,  is  very  curious. 
They  first,  but  not  with- 
o  u  t  some  (difficulty, 
emerge  from  the  shaft :  for  a  day  or  two  they  are  fed  on  the  chimney- 
top  ;  and  then  are  conducted  to  the  olead,  leafless  bough  of  some 
neighboring  tree,  where,  sitting  in  a  row,  they  are  attended  by  the 
parents  with  great  assiduity.  In  a  day  or  two  after  this,  they  are 
strong  enough  to  fly,  but  they  continue  still  unable  to  take  their  own 
food.  They  therefore  play  about  near  the  place,  where  the  dams  are 
watching  for  flies ;  and,  when  a  mouthful  is  collected,  at  a  certain 
signal,  the  dam  and  the  nestling  advance,  rising  towards  each  other, 
and  meeting  at  an  angle ;  the  young-one  all  the  while  uttering  such  a 
short  quick  note  of  gratitude  and  complacency,  that  a  person  must 
have  paid  very  little  regard  to  the  wonders  of  nature,  who  has  not  re- 
marked this  scene. 

As  soon  as  the  dam  has  disengaged  herself  from  the  first  brood,  she 
immediately  commences  her  preparations  for  a  second,  which  is  intro- 
duced into  the  world  about  the  middle  or  latter  end  of  August. 

During*  every  part  of  the  summer,  the  Swallow  is  a  most  instructive 
pattern  of  unwearied  industry  and  affection  :  from  morning  to  night, 
while  there  is  a  family  to  be  supported,  she  spends  the  whole  time 
in  skimming  along,  and  exerting  the  most  sudden  turns  and  quick 
evolutions :  avenues,  and  long  walks  under  hedges,  pasture-fields,  and 
mown  meadows  where  cattle  graze,  are  her  delight,  especially  if  there 
are  trees  interspersed,  because  in  such  spots  insects  most  abound. 
"When  a  fly  is  taken,  a  smart  snap  from  her  bill  is  to  be  heard,  not 
unlike  the  noise  of  the  shutting  of  a  watch-case ;  but  the  motion  of  the 
mandibles  is  too  quick  for  the  eye. 

The  Swallow  is  the  excubitor  to  the  House-Martins  and  other  little 
birds,  announcing  the  approach  of  birds  of  prey  :  for  as  soon  as  a  Hawk 
or  an  Owl  appears  the  Swalbw  calls,  with  a  shrill  alarming  note,  ai1 


214  THE  CHIMNEY   SWALLOW. 

his  own  fellows  and  the  Martins  about  him  ;  who  pursue  in  a  body 
and  strike  their  enemy,  till  they  have  driven  him  from  the  place, 
darting  down  upon  his  back,  and  rising  in  a  perpendicular  line  in  per- 
fect security.  This  bird  will  also  sound  the  alarm,  and  strike  at  cats 
when  they  climb  on  the  roofs  of  houses,  or  otherwise  approach  the  nests. 

Wonderful  is  the  address,  Mr.  White  justly  observes,  which  this 
adroit  bird  exhibits  in  ascending  and  decending  with  security  through 
the  narrow  passage  of  a  chimney.  When  hovering  over  the  mouth 
of  the  funnel,  the  vibrations  of  its  wings  acting  on  the  confined  air, 
occasion  a  rumbling  like  distant  thunder.  It  is  not  improbable  that 
the  dam  submits  to  the  inconvenience  of  having  her  nest  low  down  ia 
the  shaft,  in  order  to  have  her  broods  secure  from  rapacious  birds ; 
and  particularly  from  Owls,  which  are  frequently  found  to  fall  down 
chimneys,  probably  in  their  attempts  to  get  at  the  nestlings. 

Professor  Kalm,  in  his  Travels  in  America,  says,  that  a  very 
reputable  lady  and  her  children  related  to  him  the  following  story 
respecting  these  birds,  assuring  him  at  the  same  time  that  they  were 
all  eye-witnesses  to  the  fact : — "  A  couple  of  Swallows  built  their  nest 
in  the  stable  belonging  to  the  lady ;  and  the  female  laid  eggs  in  the 
nest,  and  was  about  to  brood  them.  Some  days  afterwards  the  people 
saw  the  female  still  sitting  on  the  eggs  :  but  the  male  flying  about  the 
nest,  and  sometimes  settling  on  a  nail,  was  heard  to  utter  a  very 
plaintive  note,  which  betrayed  his  uneasiness.  On  a  nearer  examina- 
tion, the  female  was  found  dead  in  the  nest ;  and  the  people  flung  her 
body  away.  The  male  then  went  to  sit  upon  the  eggs ;  but  after 
being  about  two  hours  on  them,  and  perhaps  finding  the  business  too 
troublesome,  he  went  out,  and  returned  in  the  afternoon  with  another 
female,  which  sat  upon  the  nest,  and  afterwards  fed  the  young-ones, 
till  they  were  able  to  provide  for  themselves." 

At  Camerton  Hall,  near  Bath,  a  pair  of  Swallows  built  their  nest  on 
the  upper  part  of  the  frame  of  an  old  picture  over  the  chimney-piece  ; 
entering  through  a  broken  pane  in  the  window  of  the  room.  They 
came  three  years  successively ;  and  in  all  probability  would  have  con- 
tinued to  do  so,  had  not  the  room  been  put  in  repair,  which  prevented 
their  access  to  it. 

Another  pair  were  known  to  build  for  two  successive  years  on 
tbe  handles  of  a  pair  of  garden  shears,  that  were  stuck  up  against  the 
boards  in  an  out-house  ;  and  therefore  must  have  had  their  nest  spoiled 
whenever  the  implement  was  wanted.  And  what  is  still  more  strange, 
a  bird  of  the  same  species  built  its  nest  on  the  wings  and  body  of  an 
Owl,  that  happened  to  hang  dead  and  dry  from  the  rafter  of  a  barn 
and  so  loose  as  to  be  moved  by  every  gust  of  wind.  This  Owl,  witli 
the  nest  on  its. wings,  and  with  eggs  in  the  nest,  was  taken  as  a  curi- 
osity to  the  museum  of  S*ir  Ash  ton  Lever.  That  gentleman,  struck 
with  the  singularity  of  the  sight,  furnished  the  person  who  brought 
it  with  a  large  shell,  desiring  him  to  fix  it  just  where  the  Owl  had 
hung.  The  man  did  so  ;  and  in  the  following  year  a  pair  of  Swallows, 
probably  the  same,  built  their  nest  in  the  shell,  and  laid  eggs. 

"  By  the  myriads  of  insects,  which  every  single  brood  of  Swallows 
destroy,  in  the  course  of  a  summer,  these  birds  defend  us  in  a  great 


THE    CHIMNEY    SWALLOW  215 

measure  from  the  personal  and  domestic  annoyance  of  flies  and  gnats, 
and  what  is  of  infinitely  more  consequence,  they  keep  down  toe 
numbers  of  our  minute  enemies,  which,  either  in  the  grub  or  winged 
state,  would  otherwise  prey  on  the  labors  of  the  husbandman.  Since, 
then,  Swallows  are  guardians  of  our  corn,  they  should  every  where  be 
protected  by  the  same  popular  veneration  which  in  Egypt  defends  the 
ibis,  and  in  Holland  the  Stork.  We  more  frequently  hear  of  unpro- 
ductive harvests  on  the  Continent  than  in  England ;  and  it  is  well 
known  that  Swallows  are  caught  and  sold  as  food,  in  the  markets  of 
Spain,  France,  and  Italy.  When  this  practice  has  been  very  general 
and  successful,  I  have  little  doubt  that  it  has,  at  times,  contributed  to 
a  scarcity  of  corn.  In  England  they  are  not  driven  to  such  resources 
to  furnish  their  tables.  But  what  apology  can  be  made  for  those,  and 
many  there  are,  whose  education  should  have  taught  them  more 
innocent  amusements,  but  who  wantonly  murder  Swallows,  under 
the  idle  pretence  of  improving  their  skill  in  shooting  game  ?  Besides 
the  cruelty  of  starving  whole  nests  by  killing  the  dam,  they  who  follow 
this  barbarous  diversion  would  do  well  to  reflect,  that  by  every 
Swallow  they  kill,  they  assist  the  effects  of  blasts,  mildews,  and  vermin, 
in  causing  a  scarcity  of  bread. 

All  the  birds  of  this  tribe  have  been  observed  to  drink  as  they  fly 
along,  sipping  the  surface  of  the  water ;  but  the  Swallow  alone,  in 
general,  washes  on  the  wing,  by  dropping  into  a  pond  many  times 
successively.  In  very  hot  weather,  House-Martins  and  Bank-Martins, 
also  sometimes  dip  and  wash. 

Swallows  feed  on  small  Beetles,  as  well  as  on  Gnats  and  Flies ;  and 
often  settle  on  dug  ground  or  paths,  for  gravel,  which  assists  in  grin- 
ding and  digesting  their  food.  Horsemen,  on  wide  downs,  are  often 
closely  attended,  for  miles  together,  by  a  small  party  of  Swallows ; 
which  play  before  and  behind  them,  sweeping  around,  and  collecting 
all  the  insects  that  are  roused  by  the  trampling  of  the  horse's  feet 
When  the  wind  blows  hard,  the  birds,  without  this  expedient,  are 
often  forced  to  alight,  in  order  to  pick  up  their  lurking  prey. 

Mr.  White  informs  us,  that  for  some  weeks  before  the  Swallows  de- 
part, they  (without  exceptions)  forsake  houses  and  chimneys,  and  roost 
in  trees;  and  that  they  usually  withdraw  about  the  beginning  of 
October,  though  some  few  stragglers  may  be  seen  at  times  till  the 
first  week  in  November.  A  few  days  previously  to  their  departure, 
they  assemble  in  vast  flocks  on  house-tops,  churches,  and  trees,  from 
which  they  take  their  flight. 

I  shall  conclude  the  account  of  this  bird  with  an  anecdote  related 
by  M.  de  Buffon.  This  celebrated  writer  informs  us,  that  a  shoemaker 
in  Basle  put  a  collar  on  a  Swallow,  containing  an  inscription  to  thii 
purport : 

"  Pretty  Swallow,  tell  me,  whither  goest  thou  in  winter?" 

and  in  the  ensuing  spring  he  received,  by  the  same  courier,  the  fol- 
lowing answer : 

44  To  Anthony  at  Athens :— Why  dost  thou  inquire  T 


216  THE  MARTIN. 

The  most  probable  conjecture  on  this  story  is,  that  the  answer  waa 
written  by  some  one  who  had  caught  the  bird  in  Switzerland ;  for 
both  Belon  and  Aristotle  assure  us,  that  though  the  Swallows  live 
half  the  year  in  Greece,  yet  they  always  pass  the  winter  in  Africa. 

The  Rev.  Revett  Shepperd,  F.  L.  S.,  a  few  years  ago  communicated 
to  me  the  following  acount  of  a  Swallow  which  was  domesticated  by 
Miss  Boldero  of  Ixworth,  near  Bury  St.  Edmunds:  "On  the  19th  of 
July,  1806,  three  young  Swallows  fell  down  the  chimney  of  this  lady's 
bed-chamber,  and,  being  fond  of  birds,  she  Determined,  if  possible,  to 
rear  them.  Two  of  them  died  in  the  course  of  a  week,  but  the  third, 
by  feeding  it  with  boiled  egg,  mixed  occasionally  with  bread,  she 
succeeded  in  rearing.  It  grew  fast,  and  continued  in  excellent  health. 
As  flies  were  its  most  natural  food,  she  supplied  it  with  these  as  fre- 
quently as  possible.  It  drank  plentifully  of  water,  and  seemed  to 
derive  great  pleasure  from  regularly  washing  itself.  This  bird  grew 
so  tame  that  it  would  come  to  its  mistress  whenever  she  held  out  her 
finger  for  it  to  alight  upon  ;  and  thus  perched,  would  catch  every  fly 
within  its  reach.  Its  eagerness  in  this  act,  and  its  manner  of  catching 
these  insects,  the  snap  of  its  beak  in  so  doing,  and  its  general  docility, 
rendered  it  a  very  amusing  and  interesting  object.  Frequently  after 
dinner,  Miss  Boldero  would  bring  it  upon  her  finger  into  the  dining- 
room,  a  large  and  lofty  apartment.  Here  it  would  fly  about  with 
great  freedom ;  and,  when  tired,  would  come  to  its  mistress  to  rest 
itself  upon  her.  It  did  not  appear  to  notice  a  small  Parrot,  which 
was  loose  in  the  same  room,  and  upon  the  perches  of  whose  stand  it 
•was  fond  of  alighting.  If,  however,  the  Parrot  attempted  to  attack 
it,  the  Swallow  always  opened  its  beak  in  a  threatening  manner,  as  if 
resolved  to  defend  itself  from  insult.  . 

"  When  the  usual  term  for  the  migration  of  its  tribe  approached 
this  bird  became  uneasy ;  and,  as  it  was  occasionally  hung  in  a  cage 
on  the  outside  of  the  house,  the  other  Swallows  came  about  it,  and 
appeared  to  invite  it  to  go  with  them.  The  Swallows,  so  long  as  any 
remained,  came  every  day  to  it ;  and  when  they  had  all  disappeared 
it  became  tolerably  tranquil.  Miss  Boldero  was  extremely  anxious 
to  preserve  it  through  the  winter,  and  though  aware  of  the  difficulty 
she  should  have  in  feeding  it  through  that  season,  resolved  to  make 
the  attempt.  On  the  9th  of  October,  however,  after  she  had  fed  it  as 
usual,  and  had  left  it  in  apparent  health  and  vigor,  she  had  the  morti- 
fication, on  returning  to  her  chamber,  to  find  it  dead.  The  cause  of 
its  death  she  was  unable  to  ascertain;  but  she  imagined  that  the  bird 
might  have  been  inadvertently  struck  by  the  servant,  whilst  she  waj 
cleaning  the  room." 


THE   MARTIN. 

About  the  16th  of  April  these  birds  begin  to  appear,  and  generally 
for  some  time  they  pay  no  attention  to  the  business  of  nidification, 
but  play  and  sport  about,  either  to  recruit  themselves  from  the  fatigue 
of  their  journey,  or  else  that  their  blood  may  recover  its  true  tone 


THE   MARTIN. 


217 


and  texture,  after  having  been  so  long  benumbed  by  tie  severities 

of    the     winter.      Towards     the 

middle  of  May,  if  the  weather  be 

line,  the  Martin  begins  to  think  t 

of  providing  a   mansion   for   its 

Cimily.     The  crust  or  shell  of  its 

rest  seems  to  be  formed  of  such 

rtirt  or  loam  as  is  most  readily 

taet  with ;  and  it  is  tempered  and 

wrought    together   with  little 

O  O 

nieces  of  broken  straws,  to  render 
it  tough  and  tenacious. 

As  this  bird  often  builds  against 
a  perpendicular  wall,  without  any 
projecting  ledge  under,  its  utmost  efforts  are  necessary  to  get  the 
Jrst  foundation  firmly  fixed,  so  as  to  carry  safely  the  superstructure. 
On  this  occasion  the  bird  not  only  clings  with  its  claws,  but  partly 
supports  itself  by  strongly  inclining  its  tail  against  the  wall,  making 
*hat  a  fulcrum;  and,  thus  fixed,  it  plasters  the  materials  into  the  face 
»>f  the  brick  or  stone.  But  that  this  work  may  not,  while  soft,  incline 
lown  by  its  own  weight,  the  provident  architect  has  the  prudence  and 
torbearanee  not  to  proceed  too  fast ;  but,  by  building  only  in  the 
morning,  and  dedicating  the  rest  of  the  day  to  food  and  amusement, 
she  gives  it  sufficient  time  to  dry  and  harden.  About  half  an  inch 
seems  to  be  a  sufficient  layer  for  a  day.  Thus,  careful  workmen, 
when  they  build  mud-walls,  (informed  at  first,  perhaps,  by  this  little 
bird,)  add  but  a  moderate  layer  at  a  time,  and  then  desist,  lest  the 
work  should  become  top-heavy,  and  so  be  ruined  by  its  own  weight. 
By  this  method,  in  about  ten  or  twelve  days,  a  hemispherical  nest  is 
formed,  with  a  small  aperture  towards  the  top ;  strong,  compact,  and 
warm,  and  perfectly  fitted  for  all  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  in- 
tended. But  nothing  is  more  common  than  for  the  House-Sparrow, 
as  soon  as  the  shell  is  finished,  to  seize  on  it,  eject  the  owner,  and  to 
line  it  according  to  its  own  peculiar  manner.  After  so  much  labor  is 
bestowed  in  erecting  a  mansion,  as  Nature  seldom  works  in  vain, 
Martins  will  breed  for  several  years  successively  in  the  same  nest, 
where  it  happens  to  be  well  sheltered  and  secured  from  the  injuries 
of  the  weather.  The  shell  or  crust  of  the  nest  is  a  sort  of  rustic  work, 
full  of  knobs  and  protuberances  on  the  outside:  nor  is  the  inside 
smoothed  with  any  great  exactness;  but  it  is  rendered  soft  and  warm, 
and  fit  for  incubation,  by  a  lining  of  smaU  straws,  grasses,  and 
feathers,  and  sometimes  by  a  bed  of  moss  interwoven  with  wool. 

In  this  nest  are  produced  four  or  five  young  ones ;  which,  when 
arrived  at  full  growth,  become  impatient  of  confinement,  and  sit  all 
day  with  their  heads  out  at  the  orifice,  where  the  dams,  by  clinging 
to  the  nest,  supply  them  with  food  from  morning  to  night.  After 
this  they  are  fed  on  wing  by  the  parents;  but  this  feat  is  performed 
by  so  quick  and  almost  imperceptible  a  flight,  that  a  person  must 
attend  very  exactly  to  the  motions  of  the  birds,  before  he  is  able  to 
perceive  it. 


.218  THE   MARTIN 

As  soon  as  the  young-ones  are  able  to  provide  for  themselves,  the 
dams  repair  their  nest  for  a  second  brood.  The  first  flight  then  asso- 
ciate in  vast  flocks ;  and  may  be  seen  on  sunny  mornings  and 
evenings,  clustering  and  hovering  around  towers  and  steeples,  and 
on  the  roofs  of  churches  and  houses.  These  congregations  usually 
begin  to  take  place  about  the  first  week  in  August.  From  observing 
the  birds  approaching  and  playing  about  the  eaves  of  buildings,  many 
persons  have  been  led  to  suppose  that  more  than  two  old  birds  attend 
D  each  nest 

The  Martins  are  often  very  capricious  in  fixing  on  a  nesting-place, 
oeginning  many  edifices  and  leaving  them  unfinished ;  but  (as  we 
have  before  observed)  when  a  nest  has  once  been  completed  in  a 
sheltered  situation,  it  is  made  to  serve  for  several  seasons.  In  form- 
ing their  nests,  these  industrious  artificers  are  at  their  labor,  in  the 
long  days,  before  four  o'clock  in  the  morning :  in  fixing  their  materials 
they  plaster  them  on  with  their  chins,  moving  the  head  with  a  quick 
vibratory  motion. 

Sometimes,  in  very  hot  weather,  they  dip  and  wash  themselves  as 
they  fly,  but  not  so  frequently  as  the  Swallows.  They  are  the  least 
agile  of  all  the  British  hirundines ;  their  wings  and  tails  are  short, 
and  therefore  they  are  not  capable  of  those  surprising  turns,  and  quick 
and  glancing  evolutions,  that  are  so  observable  in  the  Chimney-Swal- 
lows. 

Their  motion  is  placid  and  easy  :  generally  in  the  middle  region 
of  the  air;  for  they  seldom  mount  to  any  great  height,  and  never 
sweep  long  together  over  the  surface  of  the  ground  or  water.  They 
do  not  wander  far  in  quest  of  food ;  but  are  fond  of  sheltered  places 
near  some  lake,  or  under  some  hanging  wood,  especially  in  windy 
weather. 

During  the  residence  of  a  Mr.  Simpson,  at  Welton  in  North 
America,  he  one  morning  heard  a  noise  from  a  couple  of  Martins 
that  were  flying  from  tree  to  tree  near  his  dwelling.  They  made 
several  attempts  to  get  into  a  box  or  cage  which  was  fixed  against 
the  house,  and  which  they  had  before  occupied ;  but  they  always  ap- 
peared to  fly  from  it  again  with  the  utmost  dread,  at  the  same  time 
repeating  those  loud  cries  which  first  drew  his  attention.  Curiosity 
led  this  gentleman  to  watch  their  motions.  After  some  time,  a  small 
Wren  came  from  the  box,  and  perched  on  a  tree  near  it ;  when  her 
shrill  notes  seemed  to  amaze  her  antagonists.  Having  remained  a 
short  time,  she  flew  away.  The  Martins  took  this  opportunity  of  re- 
turning to  the  cage;  but  their  stay  was  short.  Their  diminutive  adver- 
sary entered  and  made  them  retire  with  the  greatest  precipitation. 
They  continued  manoeuvring  in  this  way,  during  the  whole  day,  but 
on  the  following  morning,  when  the  Wren  quitted  the  cage,  the  Mar- 
tins immediately  returned,  took  possession  of  their  mansion,  broke 
up  their  own  nest,  went  to  work  afresh  with  extreme  industry 
and  ingenuity,  and  soon  barricaded  their  doors.  The  Wren  re- 
turned, but  could  not  now  re-enter.  She  made  attempts  to  storm 
the  nest,  but  did  not  succeed.  The  Martins  abstaining  from  ftxH 
nearly  two  days,  persevered  during  the  whole  of  that  time  in  defeat*- 


THE   SAND-MARTIN.  219 

ing  the  entrance ;  and  the  Wren,  finding  she  could  not  force  th* 
works,  raised  the  siege,  quitted  her  intentions,  and  left  the  Martini 
in  quiet  possession  of  their  dwelling. 


THE    SAND-MARTIN. 

In  the  banks  of  rivers,  and  in  the  perpendicular  sides  of  sand- 
pits, these  birds  dig  round  and  regular  holes, 
about  two  feet  in  depth,  which  run  horizon- 
tally, and  in  a  somewhat  serpentine  direction. 
At  the  further  end  of  these  burrows,  the  birds 
construct  their  rude  nest  of  grass  and  feathers. 
*  Though  one  would  at  first  be  disinclined  to 
believe  (says  Mr.  White)  that  this  weak  bird, 
with  her  soft  tender  bill  and  claws,  should  ever  THE  SAND  MAR™. 

be  able  to  bore  the  stubborn  sand-bank  with- 
out entirely  disabling  herself;  yet  with  these  feeble  instruments  have 
I  seen  a  pair  of  them  make  great  dispatch  ;  and  could  remark  how 
much  they  had  scooped  in  a  day,  by  the  fresh  sand  which  ran  down 
the  bank,  and  which  was  of  a  different  color  from  what  lay  loose  and 
had  been  bleached  in  the  sun.  In  what  space  of  time  the  little  artists 
are  able  to  mirie  and  finish  these  cavities,  I  have  never  been  able  to 
discover;  but  it  would  be  a  matter  worthy  of  observation,  where  it 
falls  in  the  way  of  any  naturalist  to  make  such  remarks-  This  I  have 
often  taken  notice  of,  that  several  holes  of  different  depths  are  left, 
unfinished  at  the  end  of  the  summer.  To  imagine  that  these  begin- 
nings were  intentionally  made,  in  order  to  be  in  the  greater  forward- 
ness for  the  ensuing  spring,  is  allowing  perhaps  too  much  foresight 
to  a  simj4e  bird.  May  ncrt  the  cause  of  their  being  left  unfinished, 
arise  from  the  birds  meeting,  in  those  places,  with  strata  too  harsh, 
hard,  and  solid,  for  their  purpose;  which  they  relinquish,  and  go  to  a 
fresh  spot,  where  they  can  work  more  freely  ?  Or  may  they  not  in 
other  places  fall  in  wiih  a  soil  as  much  too  loose  and  mouldering 
liable  to  founder,  and  threatening  to  overwhelm  them  and  their 
labors?  One  thing  is  remarkable;  that,  after  some  years,  the  old 
holes  are  forsaken,  and  new  ones  are  bored  ;  perhaps  because  the 
former  habitations  were  become  foul  and  fetid  from  long  use,  or  be- 
cause they  so  abounded  with  fleas  as  to  become  untenable."  Sand 
Martins  are  so  strangely  annoyed  with  fleas,  that  these  vermin  have 
been  sometimes  seen  swarming  at  the  mouths  of  their  holes,  like 
bees  on  the  stools  of  their  hives. 

The  Sand  Martin  appears  in  this  country  about  the  same  time  aa 
the  Swallow,  and  lays  from  four  to  six  white  and  semi-transparent 
eggs.  These  birds  seem  not  to  be  of  very  sociable  disposition  :  with 
us  they  never  congregate  in  the  autumn.  They  have  a  peculiar  man- 
ner of  flying :  they  flirt  about  with  odd  jerks  and  vacillations,  not 
unlike  the  motions  of  a  Butterfly. 


220  THE   ESCULENT   SWALLOW. 


THE   ESCULENT  SWALLOW. 

The  Esculent  Swallow  is  somewhat  smaller  than  the  "Wren.  Its  bill 
is  thick.  The  upper  parts  of  the  body  are  brown,  and  the  under 
parts  whitish.  The  tail  is  forked;  and  each  feather  is  tipped  with 
white.  The  legs  are  brown. 

The  nest  of  this  bird  is  exceedingly  curious,  and  is  composed  of 
such  materials,  that  it  is  not  only  edible,  but  is  accounted  by  the 
epicures  of  Asia,  among  their  greatest  dainties.  It  generally  weighs 
about  half  an  ounce ;  and  is,  in  shape,  like  a  half-lemon,  or,  as  some 
say,  like  a  saucer  with  one  side  Hatted,  which  adheres  to  the  rock. 
The  texture  somewhat  resembles  isinglass,  or  fine  gum-dragon:  and 
the  several  layers  of  the  component  matter  are  very  apparent;  it  be- 
ing fabricated  from  repeated  parcels  of  a  soft,  slimy  substance,  in 
the  same  manner  as  the  Martins  form  their  nests  of  mud.  Authors 
differ  much  as  to  the  materials  of  which  this  nest  is  composed  :  some 
suppose  it  to  consist  of  sea-worms,  of  the  Mollusca  class ;  others 
from  the  sea-qualm,  (a  kind  of  Cuttle-fish,)  or  a  glutinous  sea-plant, 
called  agal-agal.  It  has  also  been  supposed  that  the  Swallows  rub 
other  birds  of  their  eggs,  and,  after  breaking  their  shells,  apply  the 
white  of  them  in  the  composition  of  these  structures. 

The  best  sort  of  nests,  which  are  perfectly  free  from  dirt  are  dis- 
solved in  broth,  in  order  to  thicken  it ;  and  are  said  to  give  it  an 
exquisite  flavor.  Or  they  are  soaked  in  water,  to  soften  them  ;  then 
pulled  to  pieces ;  and,  after  being  mixed  with  ginseng,  are  put  into  thu 
body  of  a  fowl.  The  whole  is  afterwards  stewed  in  a  pot,  with  a  suf- 
ficient quantity  of  water,  and  left  on  the  coals  all  night.  On  the 
following  morning  it  is  in  a  state  to  be  eaten. 

These  nests  are  found  in  vast  numbers  in  certain  caverns  of  islands 
in  the  Soolo  Archipelago.  The  best  kind  sell  in  China  at  from  one 
thousand  to  fifteen  hundred  dollars  the  picle  ;  (about  twenty-five 
pounds ;  )  the  black  and  dirty  ones  for  only  twenty  dollars.  It  is  said 
that  the  Dutch  alone  export  from  Batavia  one  thousand  picks  of  these 
nests  every  year :  they  are  brought  from  the  islands  of  Cochin-China 
and  those  lying  east  of  them. 

The  following  is  the  account  given  of  the  nests  of  the  Esculent 
Swallow  by  Sir  George  Staunton  :  "In  the  Cass  (a  small  island  near 
Sumatra)  were  found  two  caverns,  running  horizontally  into  tho 
side  of  the  rock;  and  in  these  were  a  number  of  those  bird-nests  so 
much  prized  by  the  Chinese  epicures.  They  seem  to  be  composed  of 
fine  filaments,  cemented  together  by  a  transparent  viscous  matter,  not 
unlike  what  is  left  by  the  foam  of  the  sea  upon  stones  alternately  cov- 
ered by  the  tide,  or  those  gelatinous  animal  substances  that  are  found 
floating  on  every  coast.  The  nests  adhere  to  each  other,  and  to  the 
sides  of  the  cavern  ;  mostly  in  rows,  without  any  break  or  interruption. 
The  birds  that  build  these  nests  are  small  gray  Swallows,  with  bellies  of 
a  dirty  white  color.  They  were  flying  about  in  considerable  numbers; 
but  were  so  small,  and  their  flight  was  so  quick,  that  they  escaped  the 


THE   BLACK   MARTIN,   OR   SWIFT. 


221 


phot  fired  at  them.  The  same  sort  of  nests  are  said  also  to  be  fou  d 
in  deep  caverns  at  the  foot  of  the  highest  mountains  in  the  middle  of 
Java,  and  at  a  great  distance  from  the  sea.  The  Esculent  Swallows 
feed  on  insects  which  they  find  hovering  over  stagnated  pools  between 
the  mountains,  and  for  the  catching  of  which  their  wide-opening  beakd 
are  particularly  adapted.  They  prepare  their  nests  from  the  best 
remnants  of  their  food.  Their  greatest  enemy  is  the  Kite,  which  often 
intercepts  them  in  their  passage  to  and  from  the  caverns.  The  nests 
are  placed  in  horizontal  rows,  at  different  depths,  from  fifty  to  five 
hundred  feet.  The  color  and  value  of  the  nests  depend  on  the  quantity 
and  quality  of  the  insects  caught;  and,  perhaps,  also  on  the  situation 
in  which  they  are  built.  Their  value  is  chiefly  ascertained  by  the 
uniform  fineness  and  delicacy  of  their  texture  ;  those  that  are  white  and 
transparent  being  most  esteemed,  and  often  fetching,  in  China,  their 
weight  in  silver. 

"  These  nests  are  a  considerable  object  of  traffic  among  the  Javanese ; 
many  of  whom  are  employed  in  it  from  their  infancy.  The  birds,  after 
having  spent  nearly  Uvo  months  in  preparing  their  nests,  lay  each  two 
eggs,  which  are  hatched  in  about  fifteen  days.  AVhenthe  young  birds 
become  fledged,  is  the  proper  time  to  take  the  nests;  and  this  is  re- 
gularly done  three  times  a  year,  and  is.  effected  by  means  of  ladders  of 
bamboo  and  reeds,  by  which  the  people  descend  into  the  caverns :  but 
when  these  are  very  deep,  rope-ladders  are  preferred.  This  operation 
is  attended  with  much  danger.  4  The  inhabitants  of  the  mountains,  who 
obtain  a  livelihood  by  collecting  the  nests,  always  begin  by  sacrificing 
a  buffalo.  They  also  pronounce  certain  prayers,  anoint  themselves 
with  sweet-scented  oil,  and  smoke  the  entrance  of  the  cavern  with 
gum-benjamin.  Near  some  of  the  caverns  a  tutelar  goddess  is  wor- 
shipped, whose  priest  burns  incense,  and  lays  his  protecting  hands  on 
every  person  preparing  to  descend.  A  flambeau  is,  at  the  same  time, 
carefully  prepared,  with  a  gum  which  exudes  from  a  tree  growing  ia 
the  vicinity,  and  which  is  not  easily  extinguished  by  fixed  air  or 
subterraneous  vapors." 


THE    BLACK   MARTIN,   OR   SWIFT. 

The  legs  of  the  Swift  are  so  short,  that  the  actions  of  walking  and 
rising  from  the  ground  seem  very  difficult  to  it.  Providence,  however, 
has  made  the  bird  ample  compensation,  by  furnishing  it  with  means, 
in  a  peculiarly  great  extent  of  wing,  for  an  easy  and  long-continued 
flight.  It  passes  more  of  its  time  on  wing  than  any  other  Swallow, 
and  its  flight  is  more  rapid.  It  breeds  under  the  eaves  o:"  houses,  in 
steeples,  and  other  lofty  buildings ;  and  makes  its  nest  of  grass  and 
feathers. 

The  feet  of  this  bird  are  of  a  peculiar  structure,  all  the  toes  standing 
forward.  The  least  toes  consist  of  only  one  bone  ;  the  others  of  two 
each ;  in  which  they  differ  from  the  toes  of  all  other  birds.  This, 
however,  is  a  construction  nicely  adapted  to  the  purposes  for  which  tha 
feet  of  these  bird,*  are  employed. 


222  THE    BLACK    MARTIX.    OR    STHFT. 

The  Swift  visits  England  the  latest,  and  leaves  the  earliest,  of  any  bird 
of  its  tribe :  it  does  not  often  arrive  before  the  begining  of  May,  and 
seldom  remains  later  than  the  middle  of  August. 

It  is  the  most  active  of  all  birds ;  being  on  wing,  in  the  height  of 
summer,  at  least  sixteen  hours  in  the  day  ;  withdrawing  to  rest,  in  the 
longest  days,  about  a  quarter  before  nine  in  the  evening,  some  time 
after  all  the  other  day-birds  are  gone.  Just  before  they  retire,  large 
groups  of  Swifts  assemble  high  in  the  air,  screaming,  and  shooting 
about  with  wonderful  rapidity.  They  are  chiefly  alert  iu  sultry , 
lowering  weather;  when  they  express  great  alacrity,  and  seem  to  call 
forth  all  their  powers. 

In  hot  mornings,  the  Swifts  collect  together,  in  little  parties,  and 
dash  around  tho  steeples  and  churches,  squeaking  at  the  same  time  in 
a  very  clamorous  manner.  These  are  supposed  to  be  the  males  sere- 
nading the  sitting  hens  ;  as  they  seldom  make  this  noise  till  they  come 
close  to  the  walls  or  eaves,  and  those  within  always  utter  in  return  a 
faint  note  of  complacency.  When  the  hen  has  been  occupied  all  the 
day  in  sitting,  she  rushes  forth,  just  before  it  is  dark,  to  relieve  her 
weary  limbs.  She  snatches  a  scanty  meal  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then 
returns  to  her  task  of  incubation. 

Swifts,  when  shot  while  they  have  young-ones,  are  found  to  have 
a  little  cluster  of  insects  in  their  mouths,  which  they  pouch  and 
hold  under  their  tongue.  In  general,  they  fly  and  feed  higher  in  the 
air  than  any  other  species.  They  also  range  to  vast  distances ;  for 
motion  is  but  a  slight  labor  to  them,  endowed  as  they  are  with  such 
wonderful  powers  of  wing.  Sometimes,  however,  in  the  summer  they 
may  be  observed,  for  many  successive  hours,  hawking  very  low,  over 
pools  and  streams,  in  search  of  the  Cadew-flies,  May-flies,  and  Dragon 
flies,  which  frequent  the  banks  and  surface  of  waters,  and  which  afford 
them  a  plentiful  nourishment.  Sometimes  they  pursue  and  strike  at 
birds  of  prey  when  they  are  sailing  about  in  the  air ;  but  they  do  not 
express  so  much  vehemence  and  fury  on  these  occasions  as  the  Swallows, 

Swifts  breed  but  once  in  the  summer  and  produce  no  more  than  two 
young-ones  at  a  trme. 

The  main  body  of  these  birds  retire  from  this  country  before  the 
middle  of  August,  generally  by  the  10th,  (which  is  but  a  short  time 
after  the  flight  of  their  young-ones,)  and  not  a  single  straggler  is  to  be 
eeen  on  the  20th.  This  early  retreat  is  totally  unaccountable,  as  that 
time  is  often  the  most  delightful  in  the  year.  But,  what  is  yet  more 
extraordinary,  they  begin  to  retire  still  earlier  in  the  most  southerly 
parts  of  Andalusia  ;  where  they  cannot  be  influenced  by  any  defect 
of  heat,  or  even  (as  one  would  suppose)  of  food.  This  is  one  of  those 
incidents  in  natural  history,  which  not  only  baffle  our  researches,  but 
also  elude  our  conjectures. 

The  voice  of  the  Swift  is  a  harsh  scream  ;  yet  there  are  few  ears  to 
which  it  is  not  pleasing,  from  an  agreeable  association  of  ideas,  since 
it  is  never  heard  but  in  the  most  lovely  weather  of  summer.  These 
birds  never,  unless  by  accident,  settle  on  the  ground,  from  the  diffi- 
culty they  have  in  walking,  or  rather  (as it  may  be  called)  in  crawling; 
but  they  have  a  strong  grasp  with  their  feet,  by  which  they  readily 


THE  TROGON. — THE  HOOPOE. 


£23 


cling  to  walls  and  other  places  that  they  frequent.  Their  bodieg 
being  flat,  they  can  enter  a  very  narrow  crevice ;  and  where  they 
cannot  pass  on  their  bellies,  they  will  turn  up  edgewise  to  push  then> 
•elves  through. 


THE  TROGON. 

The  magnificent  family  of  the  Trogons  stands  pre-eminent  in  beautj 
and  brilliancy  of  plumage, 
the  usual  tint  being  a  metal- 
lic golden  green,  boldly  con- 
trasted with  scarlet,  black 
and  brown.  The  toes  are 
placed  two  behind  and  two 
before,  like  those  of  the 
Woodpeckers. 

The  Kesplendent  Trogon 
is  the  most  gorgeous  of  all 
this  gorgeous  family.  Its 
long  and  gracefully  curved 
tail,  nearly  three  feet  long; 
the  whole  of  the  upper  sur- 
face, and  the  throat,  are  a 
glowing  green ;  the  breast 
and  under  parts  are  bright 
crimson;  the  middle  feathers 
of  the  tail  black,  and  the 
outer  feathers  white.  This 
splendid  bird  is  an  inhabitant 
of  Mexico,  and  was  used  by 
the  Mexican  nobles  as  an  ornament  to  their  head-dress. 

From  the  feathers  of  these  and  other  Trogons  the  mosaic  pictures 
of  the  Mexicans  were  made.  One  of  these,  most  delicately  and  beau- 
tifully executed,  containing  many  figures,  is  now  in  the  Ashmolean 
Museum  at  Oxford,  and  is  there  said  to  be  made  of  Humming-birds' 
feathers.  The  subject  is  "  Christ  fainting  under  the  cross."  The 
whole  picture  is  about  the  size  of  the  palm  of  the  hand,  and  the 
figures  are  baiely  half  an  inch  in  height. 

This  is  a  very  difficult  bird  to  stuff,  on  account  of  the  delicate 
texture  of  the  skin,  which  is  so  fragile,  that  it  tears  almost  as  easily 
as  wet  blotting  paper. 


RESPLENDENT   TROGOMS. 


THE    HOOPOE. 


One  of  the  most  elegant  birds  that  visit  England  is  unfortunately 
a  very  rare  guest,  and  seldom  if  ever,  breeds  there.  Its  beautiful  cresi 
can  be  raised  or  depressed  at  pleasure,  but  is  seldom  displayed  unlesa 
the  bird  is  excited  from  some  cause.  Its  food  consists  of  insects,  which 


224 


THE    HOOPOE. 


it  first  batters  .and  moulds  into  an  oblong  mass,  and  then  swallows 
with  a  peculiar  jerk  of  the  head.  In  Yarrell's  British  Birds,  there  is 
a  very  interesting  account  of  a  tame  Hoopoe  in  the  possession  of  Mr. 
Bartlett. 

In  France  Hoopoes  are  very  common,  and  may  be  seen  examining 
old  and  rotten  stumps  for  the  insects  that  invariably  congregate  in 
such  places.  There  they  may  be  seen  in  flocks, 
but  they  never  seem  to  go  over  to  England 
in  greater  numbers  than  one  pair  at  a  time. 
M.  Bechstein  gives  a  curious  account  of  the 
attitude  assumed  by  the  Hoopoe  on  perceiving 
a  large  bird  in  the  air.  "  As  soon  as  they 
perceived  a  Haven  or  even  a  Pigeon,  they 
were  on  their  bellies  in  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye,  their  wings  stretched  out  by  the  side  of 
the  head  so  that  -the  large  quill  feathers 
touched  the  head,  leaning  on  the  back  with 

the  bill  pointing  upwards.  In  this  curious  posture  they  might  be 
taken  for  an  old  rag !" 

These  birds  of  which  he  is  speaking  are  two  young  Hoopoes  whom 

he  had' taken  from  the 
nest  and  was  rearing. 
They  lived  for  some 
time,  but  both  died  of 
civilization.  The  fe- 
male had  a  habit  of 
dragging  her  food  about 
the  floor,  so  that  it 
became  covered  with 
rubbish. 

This  formed  a  hard 
mass  nearly  the  size  of 
an  ordinary  nut  in  the 
bird's  stomach,  some- 
thing like  the  balls  of 
hair  found  in  the 
stomach  of  a  cow,  and 
soon  killed  the  poor 
Hoopoe.  The  male  bird 
lived  through  the  win- 
ter, but  becoming 
attached  to  the  warmth 
of  the  stove,  its  beak 
became  so  unnaturally 
dry,  that  the  two  man* 
diblea  separated  from  each  other  and  curved  outwards,  having  an 
interval  of  nearly  an  inch  between  their  tips.  The  bird  of  coursa 
woon  <(ied  of  absolute  starvation. 

Tb«i  Hoopoe  lays  from  four  to  seven  grey  eggs  in  the  hollow  of  a 
tree.     R*'  lenorth  is  one  foot. 


THE   LYRE-BIRD. 


225 


THE    LYRE    BIRD. 

This  bird,  called  by  naturalists  the  Hinura  Superbas,  is  found  in  Now 
South  Wales,  where  it  lives  in  the  thickets  on  the  coasts,  and  on  the 
mountains  in  the  interior.  It  is  shy  and  difficult  of  access.  Its  chief 
beauty  is  in  the  plumage  of  its  tail,  which  is  very  elegant,  assuming  the 


I.YRE    JJIKDS. — MALE    AXD    FEMALK. 


form  of  an  ancient  Lyre.  The  tail  is  composed  of  three  different  sorts 
of  feathers,  of  which  the  upper  side  is  a  dark  grey.  The  tail  of  the 
female  is  simply  brown,  and  composed  of  long,  uniform  feathers,  which 
are  straight  and  graduated.  Tho  tail  feathers  are  detached  entire  from 
the  bird,  and  are  sold  in  the  stores  at  quite  fancy  prices. 


226 


OF   THE   PIGEON    TRIBE   IN   GENERAL. 


OF  THE  PIGEON   TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

These  birds  have  a  weak  slender  bill,  straight  at  the  base  ;  with  a 
poft  protuberance,  in  which  the  nostrils  are  situated.  The  leg?  aia 
short,  and  in  most  of  the  species  red ;  and  the  toes  are  divided  to  thu 
origin. 

The  Pigeons  constitute  a  tribe  that  forms  a  connecting  link  between 

the  passerine  birds  and 
the  poultry.  They  are 
much  dispersed  over 
the  world,  some  of  the 
species  being  found 
even  in  the  arctic  re- 
gions. 

Their  principal  food 
is  grain :  they  drink 
much  :  and  not  at  inter- 
vals like  other  birds, 
but  by  a  continued 
draught,  like  quad- 
rupeds. During  the 
breeding-time  they 
associate  in  pairs,  and 
pay  court  to  each  other 
with  their  bills.  The 
PIGEON8>  female  lays  two  eggs, 

and  the  young-ones  are, 

for  the  most  part,  a  male  and  a  female.  They  usually  breed  more  than 
once  in  the  year ;  and  the  parent  birds  divide  the  labor  of  incubation 
by  sitting  alternately  on  the  eggs. 

Both  the  male  and  female  assist  in  feeding  their  offspring.  This, 
in  most  of  the  species  with  which  we  are  acquainted,  is  done  by  means 
of  a  substance  secreted  in  the  crop,  which  in  appearance  is  not  unlike 
curd,  and  is  analogous  to  milk  in  quadrupeds.  During  incubation, 
the  coat  of  the  crop  is  gradually  enlarged  and  thickened,  like  what 
happens  to  the  udders  of  female  quadrupeds  during  the  time  of  uterine 
gestation.  On  comparing  the  state  of  the  crop  when  the  bird  is  not 
sitting,  with  its  appearance  on  these  ocasions,  the  difference  is  found 
to  be  very  remarkable.  In  the  first  case  it  is  thin  and  membranous ; 
but  when  the  young-ones  are  about  to  be  hatched,  it  becomes  thicker, 
and  takes  a  glandular  appearance,  having  its  internal  surface  very 
irregular.  Whatever  may  be  the  consistence  of  this  substance  when 
just  secreted,  it  probably  very  soon  coagulates  into  a  granulated  white 
curd  ;  and  in  this  form  it  is  always  found  in  the  crop.  If  an  old 
Pigeon  be  killed  just  when  the  young-ones  are  hatching,  the  crop  will 
be  found  as  above  described,  having  in  its  cavity  pieces  of  white  curd 
mixed  with  the  common  food  of  the  bird,  such  as  barley,  peas,  or  grain. 
Tb*»  young  Pigeons  are  fed  foi  a  little  while  with  this  substance  only : 


THE   WILD  PIGEON,   OR   STOCK-DOTE. 


227 


about  the  third  day  some  of  the  common  food  is  to  be  found  along  with 
it.  As  the  Pigeons  grow  older,  the  proportion  of  common  food  is  in- 
creased ;  so  that  by  the  time  they  are  seven,  eight,  or  nine  days  old, 
the  secretion  of  the  curd  ceases  in  the  old  ones,  and  of  course  no  more 
is  found  in  the  crop  of  the  young.  It  is  a  curious  fact,  that  the  parent 
Pigeon  has,  at  first,  power  to  throw  up  this  curd  without  any  mixture 
of  common  food ;  although,  afterwards,  both  are  thrown  up,  in  the 
proportion  required  for  the  young-ones. 


8TOCK-DOVB. 


THE  WILD  PIGEOX,  OR  STOCK-DOVE. 

THIS  bird  is  of  a  bluish  ash-color :  the  breast  is  dashed  with  a  fine 
changeable  green  and 
purple  ;  and  the  sides 
of  the  neck  are  of  a 
shining  copper-color. 
Its  wings  are  marked 
with  two  black-bars ; 
one  on  the  coverts,  and 
the  other  on  the  quill 
feathers.  The  back  is 
white,  and  the  tail 
barred  near  the  end 
with  black.  The  usual 
weight  is  about  four- 
teen ounces. 

Multitudes  of  Wild 
Pigeons  visit  this  coun- 
try in  the  winter,  from 
their  more  northerly  summer  retreats.  They  appear  about  November, 
and  again  retire  (except  a  few  that  breed  with  us)  in  the  spring.  While 
the  beech  woods  were  suffered  to  cover  large  tracts  of  ground,  the.se 
birds  used  to  haunt 
them  in  myriads, 
frequently  extending 
above  a  mile  in 
length,  as  they  went 
out  in  a  morning  to 
feed.  They  are,  how- 
ever, still  found  in 
considerable  quantity, 
forming  their  nests  in 
holes  of  rock,  and  old 
towers,  and  in  the 
hollows  of  trees  ;  but 
never,  like  the  King- 
dove,  on  the  boughs. 

In  a  state  of  domes- 
tication, these  Pigeons  are  known  to  breed  eight  or  nine  times  in  the 
15 


WILD  PIG£0». 


228 


THE   CARRIER    PIGEON. 


year ;  and  though  only  two  eggs  are  laid  at  a  time,  their  increase  is  so 
rapid  and  prodigious,  that,  at  the  expiration  of  four  years,  the  pro- 
duce, and  descendants,  of  a  single  pair,  may  amount  to  the  -immense 
number  of  nearly  fifteen  thousand. 

The  usual  way  to  entice  Pigeons  to  remain  at  a  required  spot,  is  to 
place  what  is  called  a  salt-cat  near  them.  This  is  composed  of  loam, 
old  rubbish,  and  salt,  and  will  so  effectually  answer  the  purpose  as  to 
decoy  even  those  which  belong  to  other  places. 

We  have  a  singular  anecdote  of  the  effect  of  music  on  a  Pigeon,  re- 
lated by  John  Lockrnan,  in  some  reflections 
concerning  operas,  prefixed  to  his  musical  drama 
of  Rosalinda.  This  person  being  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  Lee,  a  gentleman  who  lived  in  Cheshire,  and 
whose  daughter  was  a  fine  performer  on  the  harp- 
sichord, he  observed  a  Pigeon,  which,  whenever 
the  young  lady  played  the  song  of  "  Speri  si" 
in  Handel's  opera  of  Admetus.  (and  this  only,) 
would  descend  from  an  adjacent  Dovehouse  to 
the  room- window  where  she  sat,  and  listen  to  it 
apparently  with  the  most  pleasing  emotions  ;  and  when  the  song  wa* 
finished,  it  always  returned  immediately  to  the  Dove-house. 


WILD  FI6B01T. 


CARRIER  PIQEOH. 


CARRIER   PIGEON. 

There  are  upwards  of  twenty  varieties  of  the  Domestic  Pigeon ;  and 

of  these  the  Carriers  are  the  most  celebrated. 

They  obtained  their  name  from  their  being 

sometimes  employed  to  convey  letters  and 

small  packets  from  one  place  to  another. 
It   is  through  attachment  to  their  native 

place,  and   particulaaly  to   the  spot  where 

they  have  brought  up  their  young-ones,  that 

they  are  thus  rendered  useful  to  mankind. 

The  bird  is  conveyed  from  its  home  to  the 

place  whence  the  information  is  intended  to 

be  sent ;   the  letter  is  tied  under  its  wing, 

and  it  is  let  loose.     From  the  instant  of  its  liberation  its  flight  is  di- 
rected through  the  clouds,  at  an  amazing  height,  to  its  home.     By  an 

instinct  altogether  inconceivable,  it  darts  onward,  in  a  straight  line,  to 

the  very  spot  whence  it  was  taken  ;  but  how 
it  can  direct  its  flight  so  exactly,  will  prob- 
ably for  ever  remain  unknown  to  us. 

The  rapidity  of  their  flight  is  very  won- 
derful. Lithgow  assures  us  that  one  of 
them  will  carry  a  letter  from  Babylon  to 
Aleppo  (which,  to  a  man,  is  usually  thirty 
days'  journey)  in  forty-eight  hours.  Tc 
measure  their  speed  with  some  degree  of 
exactness,  a  gentleman  some  years  ago,  on  c 


•AID  PAT*. 


THE   RING-DOVE. 


229 


trifling  wager,  sent  a  Carrier  Pigeon  from  London,  by  the  coach,  to  a 

friend  at  Bury  St.  Edmund's;  and  along  with 

it  a  note,  desiring  that  the  Pigeon,  two  days 

after  its  arrival  there,  might  be  thrown  up 

precisely  when  the  town  clock  struck  nine  in 

Jhe   morning.     This   was   accordingly  done; 

and  the  Pigeon  arrived  in  London,  and  flew 

into   the   Bull-inn,   in   Bishopsgate-street,    at 

half-past  eleven  o'clock  of  the  same  morning, 

having  flown  seventy-two  miles  in  two  hours 

and  a  half. 

The  Carrier  Pigeon  is  easily  distinguished 
from  the  other  varieties,  by  a  broad  circle  of 
naked  white  skin  round  the  eyes,  and  by  its 
dark  blue  01  blackish  color. 


THE    RING-DOVE. 

The  Ring-dove  is  the  largest  Pigeon  which  is  found  in  England, 
and  may  at  once  be  distinguish- 
ed from  all  others  by  its  size. 
Its  weight  is  about  twenty 
ounces;  its  length  eighteen 
inches,  and  its  breadth  about 
thirty.  The  head,  back,  and 
coverts  of  the  wings  are  of  a 
bluish  ash-color.  The  lower 
side  of  the  neck  and  breast  is 
of  a  purplish  red,  dashed  with 
ash-color.  On  the  hind  part  of 
the  neck  there  is  a  semi-cir- 
cular line  of  white ;  above  and 
beneath  that  the  feathers  are 
glossy,  and  of  changeable  colors 
when  opposed  to  the  light. 
The  belly  is  of  a  dirty  white. 

The   greater  quill-feathers   are  Iff/ HIS&SIIEU^^'—' 

dusky;  the  rest  ash-colored. 
Underneath  the  bastard-wing 
there  is  a  white  stroke  pointing 
downward. 

These  Pigeons  build  their  nests  on  the  branches  of  trees,  and  get* 
erally  prefer  those  of  the  pine.     The  nest  is  large  and  open,  formed 
principally  of  dried  sticks ;  and  the  eggs,  which  may  frequently  be 
seen  through  the  bottom  of  the  nest,  are  larger  than  those  of  the 
Domestic  Pigeon. 

The  food  of  this,  as  well  as  of  the  other  species,  is  principally 
grain ;  but  a  neighbor  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  White,  of  Selborne,  shot  a 
Ring-dove,  as  it  was  going  to  roost ;  and  when  his  wife  had  picked 


230 


THE   CROWNED   PIGEON. 


drawi]  it,  she  found  its  craw  stuffed  with  a  collection  of  the  ten 

der  tops  of  turnips.  Hence  we  may 
see  that  granivorous  b:rds,  when  their 
usual  kinds  of  subsistence  fail,  can 
feed  on  the  leaves  of  vegetables.  There 
is  indeed  reason  to  suppose  that  they, 
would  not  long  be  healthy  without 
these  substances;  for  Turkeys,  though 
corn-fed,  delight  in  a  great  variety  of 
plants,  such  as  ca!  bage,  lettuce,  and 
endive;  poultry  pick  much  grass;  and 
Geese  live  for  months  together  on  commons,  by  grazing  only. 

Attempts  have  frequently  been  made  to  domesticate  these  birds,  by 
hatching  their  eggs  in  dove-houses,  under  the  common  Pigeon;  but 
as  soon  as  the  young-ones  were  able  to  fly,  they  always  escaped  to 
their  proper  haunts.  Mr.  Montagu  was  at  considerable  pains  in 
experiments  of  this  nature;  and  though  he  so  far  tamed  them  within 
doors  as  to  have  them  become  exceedingly  troublesome,  yet  he  never 
could  produce  a  breed,  either  by  themselves  or  with  the  tame  Pigeon. 
Two  that  were  brought  up  with  a  male  Pigeon,  were  rendered  so 
tame  that  they  would  eat  out  of  the  hand;  but  as  they  showed  no 
signs  of  breed, ng  in  the  spring,  they  were  suffered  to  fly  away,  by  the 
window  of  the  room  in  which  they  were  confined  being  left  open.  It 
was  sitppo&ed  that,  the  Pigeon  might  induce  them  to  return  to  their 
usual  place  of  abode,  either  for  food  or  to  roost;  but  from  that  moment 
they  assumed  their  natural  habits,  and  nothing  more  was  seen  of  them, 
although  the  Pigeon  remained.  This  gentleman  bred  up  a  curious  as- 
semblage of  birds,  which  lived  together  in  perfect  amity:  it  consisted 
of  a  common  Pigeon,  a  King-dove,  a  White-owl,  and  a  Sparrow-hawk; 
and  the  King-dove  was  master  of  the  whole. 


THE    CBOWNED    PIGEON". 

This  bird  is  about  the  size  of  a  common  Turkey.  Its  head  is 
adorned,  with  a  most  superb  circular  crest 
of  feathers,  standing  erect  and  composed  of 
loose,  unconnected  webs,  of  a  fine  bluish 
ash-color.  The  eyes  are  lodged  in  a  shut- 
tle-shaped bnnd  of  black.  The  lesser 
coverts  of  the  wings,  and  the  upper  part  of 
the  back,  are  of  a  dark  reddish  purple 
the  first  greater  coverts  are  white,  edged 
with  red ;  and  all  the  rest  of  the  plumage 
is  of  the  same  color  as  the  crest. 

The  wings  of  the  Crowned  Pigeon  are 
armed  each  with  a  horny  excrescence, 
with  which  they  are  able  to  strike  a  severe 
blow.  These  birds  are  easily  rendered 
tame  J  and>  in  tne  East  Indies,  they  are  kepi 


THE   VICTORIA    CROWNED   PIGEON. 


231 


Of 


.in  court-yards,  with  poultry.  They  have  frequently  been  brougli1 
alive  into  Europe, 
where  they  are  justly 
considered  among  the 
greatest  ornaments  of 
•the  menagerie:  and  one 
instance  has  occurred 
a  female  laying 
but  these  were 
unproductive.  In  a 
wild  state  they  breed 
in  the  highest  trees. 

These  birds  have  all 
the  habits  of  the  com- 
m;>n  Pigeons;  billing, 
inflating  their  breast, 
and  cooing:  the  noise 
of  their  cooing  is,  ri 
however,  so  loud,  as,  \n 
at  times,  to  resemble 
rather  a  bellowing.  It 
is  said  that  M.  Bou- 
gainville's sailors  were 
greatly  alarmed  at 
hearing  this  noise  for 
the  first  time,  in  the 
wild  and  unfrequented 
spots  of  some  of  the 
islands  on  which  they 
landed :  they  supposed 
it  to  proceed  from  the 
savage  cries  of  hostile 

,     °  .  THE  GREAT   CKOWN£I>    PIGEON. 

and  concealed  natives. 

The  Crowned  Pigeons  are  found  in  New  Guinea,  Pulo,  and  a  few  of 

the  adjacent  islands. 


THE  VICTORIA   CROWNED   PIGEON. 

The  Victoria  Crowned  Pigeon,  the  second  member  of  this  group 
with  which  we  are  acquainted,  is  also  principally  of  a  slaty  blue  colour, 
but  has  a  reddish  brown  under  side  ;  the  wing  stripes  are  bluish  gray, 
and  a  broad  line  at  the  end  of  the  tail  whitish  gray.  In  this  bird  the 
feathers  that  form  the  crest  terminate  in  small  fan-like  appendages. 
The  eye  is  reddish,  and  the  foot  flesh-pink.  The  pigeon  is  somewhat 
larger  than  the  species  last  described.  It  inhabits  the  most  southern 
parts  of  North  Guinea,  and  is  nowhere  very  numerous.  "  Their  walk," 
says  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Wood,  "  is  quite  of  a  royal  character,  stately,  ma- 
jestic, and  well  according  with  the  crown  they  wear  upon  their  heads. 
The  crest  seems  always  to  be  held  expanded.  They  have  the  Labit  of 


232 


THE   PASSENGER    PIGEON. 


sunning  themselves  upon  the  hot  pavement  of  their  prison  by  lying 
on  one  side,  laying  the  head  flat  on  the  ground,  tucking  the  lower  wing 
under,  and  spreading  the  other  over  their  bodies,  so  as  to  form  a  very 
shallow  tent,  each  quill-feather  being  separated  from  its  neighbour  and 
radiating  arauiid  the  body," 


VICTORIA   CROWNED   PIGEON. 


THE    PASSENGER    PIGEON. 


This  species  is  about  the  size  of  the  common  Pigeon.  Its  bill  ii 
alack.  Round  the  eyes  there  is  a  crimson  mark  ;  and  the  head,  throat, 
and  upper  parts  of  the  body,  are  ash-colored.  The  sides  of  the  neck 


THE    PASSENGER    PIGEON". 


233 


are  of  a  gross y,  variable  purple.     The  fore  part  of  the  neck  and  breast 
arc  vinaceous ;  and  the  under  parts  are  of  a  similar  color,  but  paler. 
The  tail  is  tolerably  long.     The  legs  are  red,  and  the  claws  black. 
Passenger  Pigeons  visit  in  enormous  flocks,  the  different  parts  of 


North  America.  In  the  southern  provinces  their  numbers  depend 
greatly  on  the  mildness  or  severity  of  the  season :  for  in  very  mild 
weath  sr  few  or  none  of  them  are  to  be  seen.  Actuated  by  necessity, 
they  change  their  situation  in  search  of  acorns,  mast,  and  berries  whicl* 


234 


THE   PA-SSENGER  PIGEON. 


THE   PASSENGER  PIGEON. 


the  warmer  provinces  yield  in  vast  abundance.     "When  they  alight, 
the  ground  is  quickly  cleared  of  all  esculent  fruits  ;  to  the  great  injury 

of  the  Hog,  and 
other  mast-eating 
animals.  After 
having  devoured 
every  thing  that  has 
fallen  on  the  sur- 
face, they  form 
themselves  into  a 
great  perpendicular 
column,  and  fly 
around  the  boughs 
of  trees,  from  top 
to  bottom,  beating 
down  the  acorns 
with  their  wings ; 
and  they  then,  in 
succession,  alight 
on  the  ground,  and 
again  begin  to  eat. 
"  I  think,"  says  Mr.  Blackburne,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Pennant,  "  that 
these  are  as  remarkable  birds  as  any  in  America.  They  are  in  vast 
numbers  in  all  parts ;  and  have,  at  times,  been  of  great  service  to  our 
garrisons,  in  supplying  them  with  fresh  meat,  especially  at  the  outposts. 
.A  friend  told  me,  that  in  the  year  in  which  Quebec  was  taken,  the 
whole  army  was  supplied  with  this  subsistence.  The  way  was  this. 
Every  man  took  his  club,  (for  they  were  forbidden  to  use  their  firelocks,) 
and  the  Pigeons  flew  in  such  numbers,  that  each  person  could  kill  as 
many  as  he  wanted.  They  in  general  begin  to  fly  soon  after  day -break, 
and  continue  till  nine  or  ten  o'clock ;  and  again  about  three  in  the 
afternoon  and  continue  till  five  or  six ;  but  what  is  very  remarkable, 
their  course  is  always  westerly.  The  times  of  flying  here  are  in  the 
spring,  about  the  latter  end  of  February  or  the  beginning  of  March, 
and  they  continue  their  flight  every  day  for  eight  or  ten  days ;  and 
again  in  the  fall,  when  they  appear  at  the  latter  end  of  July  or  the 
beginning  of  August.  The  inhabitants  catch  vast  numbers  of  them  in 
clap-nets.  I  have  seen  them  brought  to  the  market  at  New  York  by 
sacksful.  People  in  general  are  very  fond  of  them,  and  I  have  heard 
many  say  that  they  think  them  as  good  as  our  common  blue  Pigeon : 
but  I  cannot  agree  in  this  opinion :  the  flesh  tastes  most  like  that  of 
our  Queest,  or  wild  Pigeon,  but  it  is  better.  Sir  William  Johnston 
told  me,  that  at  one  shot,  with  a  blunderbuss,  he  killed  above  a  hundred 
and  twenty.  I  must  remark  a  singular  fact :  that  notwithstanding  the 
whole  people  of  a  town  go  out  a  pigeoning,  as  they  call  it,  they  do  not 
on  some  days,  kill  "a  single  hen  bird  ;  and  on  the  very  next  day  not  a 
single  cock ;  (and  yet  both  sexes  always  fly  westerly ;)  and  when  this 
ia  the  case,  the  people  are  always  assured  that  there  will  be  a  great 
quantity  of  them  that  season." 

These  Pigeons  were  so  numerous  when  La  Hontan  was  in  Canada, 


THE    PASSENGER   PIGEON. 


235 


PASSENGER    PIGEONS. 


that,  lie  says,  the  bishop  had  been  compelled  more  than  once  formally 

to  exorcise  them,  on  account  of  the  damage  they  committed.     Many 

of  the  trees    are 

said    to   have   had 

more    Pigeons    on 

them  than  leaves; 

and  for  eighteen  or 

twenty  days,  it  was 

supposed     that     a 

sufficient     number 

might    have    been 

killed     to     supply 

food  for  a  thousand 

men. 

Mr.   Weld   who 


some  years  ago 
travelled  through 
the  States  of  North 
America,  informs 
us  that  a  gentle- 
man of  the  town  of 
Niagara  assured 
him,  that  once  when  he  was  embarking  on  board  a  vessel  from  Toronto 
a  flight  of  Pigeons  was  observed  coming  from  that  quarter  ;  that,  as  he 
sailed  over  the  lake  Ontario  to  Toronto,  forty  miles  distant  from  Niagara, 
Pigeons  were  seen  flying  over-head,  the  whole  way,  in  a  direction 
contrary  to  that  in  which  the  vessel  proceeded ;  and  that,  on  his  arriving 
at  the  place  of  his  destination,  the  birds  were  still  observed  coming 
from  the  North,  in  as  large  bodies  as  had  been  noticed  at  any  time 
during  the  voyage.  Supposing,  therefore,  that  the  Pigeons  moved  no 
faster  than  the  vessel,  the  flight,  according  to  this  gentleman's  account, 
must  have  exceeded  at  least  eighty  miles. 

During  their  migrations,  these  Pigeons  are  very  fat.  It  is  a  singular 
fact,  that  Mr.  St.  John  found  in 
the  craw  of  one  of  them  some 
undigested  rice,  when  the  nearest 
rice-fields  were  at  least  five  hun- 
dred and  sixty  miles  from  his 
habitation.  He  naturally  con- 
cluded that  either  they  must  fly 
with  almost  the  celerity  of  the 
wind,  or  that  digestion  must  be 
in  a  great  measure  suspended 
during  their  flight. 

The  Indians  often  watch  the 
roost  ing-places  of  these  birds ; 
and,  knocking  them  on  the  head 
in  the  night,  bring  them  away  by 
thousands.  They  preserve  the  oil,  or  fat,  which  they  use  instead  of 
butter. 


GROUP  OF  WILD  PIGEONS. 


236 


THE   NICOBAR   PIGEON. 


By  the  Europeans  they  are  generally  caught  in  nets  extended  on 
the  ground ;  to  which  they  are  allured  by  tame  Pigeons  of  their  own 

species,  that  are  blinded, 
and  fastened  to  a  long 
string.  The  short  flights- 
and  repeated  calls  of  the 
shackled  birds,  never  fail 
either  to  excite  their 
curiosity,  or  bring  some 
of  them  down  to  attempt 
their  relief;  when  they 
are  immediately  enclosed. 
Every  farmer  has  a 
tamed  Pigeon  in  a  cage 
at  his  door  all  the  year 
round,  to  be  ready 
against  the  season  of 

PASSENGER  PIGEON.  th^F   flight. 

M.  du  Pratz,  when  he 

was  in  America,  placed  under  the  roosting  trees  of  these  Pigeons, 
vessels  filled  with  flaming  sulphur,  the  fumes  of  which  brought  them 
to  the  ground  in  immense  numbers. 


THE  NICOBAR   PIGEON. 

This  splendid  bird,  is  a  native  of  Java,  Nicobar,  Sumatra,  and  many 

of  the  Moluccas. 
It  is,  as  far  as  we 
have  been  enabled 
to  determine, 
terrestrial  in  its 
habits.  Its  plum 
age  is  exceedingly 
refulgent;  the 
head  is  of  a  dull 
slate  color,  with  a 
tinge  of  purple : 
long  flowing 
pointed  feathera 
ornament  the 
neck,  like  the 
hackles  of  the 
domestic  cock,  of 
a  rich  green  with 
coppery  reflec- 
tions ;  the  coverts  of  the  wings  are  also  pointed.  The  whole  of  the 
upper  portion  of  the  body  is  bronze  with  steel-blue  reflections  on, 
glossy  green ;  the  under  portion  is  similar,  only  less  brilliant.  The 
tail  is  pure  white. 


THE   NICOBAR   PIGEON 


THE  CHESTNUT-SHOULDERED  PIGEON. — THE  TALPICOTI.       237 


THE  CHESTNUT-SHOULDERED  PIGEON. 


This  magnificent  bird 
is  a  native  of  New 
Zealand,  and  is  very 
abundant  in  the  woods 
near  the  Bay  of  Islands. 
Their  flesh  is  excellent. 
All  the  upper  parts  and 
throat  are  of  a  chang- 
able  hue,  in  which  are 
mingled  rosy-copper 
reflections  running  into 
brilliant  iridescent 
tints ;  the  quills  are  of 
a  more  sombre  tone. 
The  tail  above  is  brown 
slightly  tinged  with 
greenish,  below  it  is 
brown ;  breast  and 
under  parts  white;  bill 
and  tarsi  carmine;  a 
bright  red  skin  sur- 
rounds the  eye.  Length 
about  nineteen  inches. 


THE  CHESTNUT-SHOULDERED  PIQEOK. 


THE    TALPICOTI. 


Brazil,  Paraguay, 
and  other  portions  of 
South  America  are 
the  native  countries 
of  this  little  Pigeon. 
It  is  seldom  if  ever, 
seen  in  large  flocks, 
but  often  in  families 
of  five  or  six,  fre- 
quents the  borders  of 
woods,  and  sometimes 
ventures  near  farm 
yards.  When  cap- 
tured it  soon  becomes 
reconciled,  and  breeds 
freely. 


238        BROWN-BACKED  PERISTERA. OCEANIC  FRUIT  PIGEON. 


THE  BROWN-BACKED  PERISTERA. 


TH«  BROWN-BACKID  PEW8TERA. 


This  species  is  a  native 
of  Southern  Africa,  where 
it  is  said  to  frequent 
woods  ;  but  little  appears 
to  be  known  respecting 
it.  The  plumage  above 
is  brown,  slightly  tinged 
with  grey  on  the  neck ; 
three  or  four  of  the 
greater  wing-coverts 
have  large  spots  of 
shining  green ;  forehead, 
a  streak  over  each  eye, 
and  all  the  under  parts 
white ;  middle  tail- 
feathers  brown,  the  two 
exterior  on  each  side 
grey,  with  a  broad  black 
bar ;  under  surface  of 
wings  and  sides  pale 
orange-brown ;  under 
tail-coverts  brown ;  bill 
and  legs  grey,  the  latter 
tinged  with  red ;  length 
nine  inches. 


THE   OCEANIC   FRUIT  PIGEON. 


The  Oceanic  Fruit  Pigeon  is 
fourteen  inches  in  length,  includ- 
ing the  tail,  which  measures  five ; 
the  bill,  an  inch  long,  is  black, 
strong,  and  surmounted  at  its  base 
by  a  rounded  very  black  caruncle ; 
the  feet  are  very  strong  and  of  a 
bright  orange  color;  the  tarsi  are 
feathered  nearly  down  to  the  toes, 
which  have  a  well  developed  bor- 
der ;  the  wings  are  pointed  and 
only  one  inch  shorter  than  the 
tail,  which  is  almost  rectilinear. 
The  lower  part  of  the  belly,  the 
vent,  the  thighs,  and  the  lowei 
tail-coverts,  are  a  deep  ferruginous 
red :  the  tail-feathers  on  the  under 
side  are  a  bright  reddish-green. 


SHE  OrEAiMU    FRUIT   PIGSON. 


THE   MANASOPE   PIGEON. WATTLED   GROUKfl   PIGEON.     239 


THE   MANASOPE   PIGEON. 


A  most  elegant  bird,  is 
found  in  the  deep  forests  of 
New  Guinea,  and  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  harbor 
of  Dorery.  Its  head,  rump, 
upper  part  of  the  body, 
wings,  and  tail,  of  an  agree- 
able grass  green;  a  large 
hood  of  a  beautiful  indigo- 
blue  covers  the  occiput ; 
elongated  blue  spots  occupy 
she  centre  of  the  subular 
feathers,  which  are  bordered 
with  a  straight  yellow  line. 
The  throat  to  half-way  down 
the  neck  is  ash  grey;  the 
breast  is  greyish -green. 


THE  WATTLED    GROUND   PIGEON. 


The  wattled  ground 
Pigeon  is  a  native  of 
'ik>uth  Africa.  Its  nest 
is  composed  of  twigs  and 
I  he  dried  stems  of  grasses, 
,)laced  in  some  slight 
nollow  of  the  ground,  and 
there  the  female  lays  six 
or  eight  reddish-white 
eggs,  which  are  incubated 
by  both  the  parents.  The 
young,  like  those  of  the 
Partridge,  almost  imme- 
diately follow  the  parent, 
who  broods  over  them, 
and  gathers  them  beneath 
her  wings.  They  walk 
and  run  with  great  rapid- 
ity ;  and  roost  on  bushes 
or  the  lower  branches  of 
trees. 


240 


THE  PHASIANELLA. 


THE   PHASIANELLA, 

This  beautiful 
species  is  found 
in  Australia,  Java, 
and  the  Phillipine 
and  Molucca 
islands.  It  is  an 
inhabitant  of  the 
woods,  and  its  food 
is  said  to  consist 
of  a  kind  of  Pi- 
mento and  of 
other  aromatic 
berries,  swallowed 
entire.  The  flesh 
is  dark,  but  its 
flavor  is  stated  to 
be  excellent.  Its 
length  is  from 
fourteen  to  sixteen 
inches,  the  tail 
being  seven  and 
rather  more. 

Their  habits 
and  mode  of  life 
are  also  nearly 
allied  to  the  other 
arboreal  species, 
being  the  constant 
inhabitants  of  the 
woods,  and  subsisting  upon  the  fruits  and  berries  of  various  trees  and 
shrubs.  M.  Temminck,  in  his  description  of  these  species,  says  that  it 
possesses  a  structure  and  form  precisely  similar  to  that  of  the  Columba 
migratoria  of  North  America.  To  this  we  cannot  subscribe,  seeing 
that  its  essential  characters,  as  above  described,  are  different,  and  that 
the  only  point  of  resemblance  consists  in  the  length  of  the  tail.  In- 
deed, so  far  removed  do  we  think  it  from  the  American  group,  that 
we  cannot  consider  it  as  its  analogue  in  the  Asiatic  regions  where 
it  resides. 

The  prevail  ng  color  of  these  Pigeons  is  bluish -gray,  of  various 
intensities  and  shades,  frequently  embellished  upon  the  neck  with 
feathers  having  a  metallic  lustre  and  pecular  form,  and  which  exhibit 
various  tints  of  color  according  to  the  light  in  which  they  are  viewed. 
They  are  naturally  birds  of  a  wild  and  timid  disposition"  (though  one 
species  has  been  partly  reclaimed),  and  usually  live  congregated 
in  extensive  flocks,  except  during  the  season  of  reproduction,  when 
they  pair.  Most  of  the  species  seek  their  food  upon  the  ground. 


THE   PHASIANELLA. 


THE   BRONZE-WINGED   PIGEON. 


241 


They  build  in  trees  or  holes  of  rocks,  making  a  shallow  nest  of  small 
twigs  loosely  put  together.  Their  eggs  are  never  more  than  two  in 
number,  their  color  a  pure  white;  they  are  incubated  alternately  \)j 
both  sexes,  and  are  hatched  after  being  sat  upon  from  eighteen  to 
twenty-one  days.  The  young,  upon  exclusion,  are  thinly  covered 
with  down,  which  is  rapidly  succeeded  by  the  proper  feathers. 


THE   BRONZE-WINGED   PIGEON. 

This  beautiful 
species  is  a  native 
of  Australia,  and 
is  common  near 
Sidney  from  Sep- 
tember till  Febru- 
ary. It  is  usually 
seen  in  pairs ;  and 
their  voice  is  loud 
and  sonorous. 
The  nest  is  placed 
either  in  the  hole 
of  a  mouldering 
tree  or  on  a  stump. 
The  eggs  are  two 
and  white.  The 
wing-coverts  are 
remarkable  for  a 
large  ovate  spot  of 
metallic  lustre, 
changing  in  differ- 
ent lights. 

It  belongs  t  o 
the  species  Phaps, 
which  is  characterized  as  follows  by  Mr.  Selby.  Bill  moderately  long, 
rather  slender;  upper  mandible  gently  deflected  at  the  tip,  and  with 
the  indication  of  a  notch  or  emargination.  Wings  of  mean  length ; 
second  and  third  feathers  longest,  and  nearly  equal.  Tail  slightly 
rounded.  Legs,  tarsi  as  long  as  the  middle  toe,  the  front  covered 
with  a  double  row  of  scales,  sides  and  back  reticulated  with  smaiJ 
hexagonal  scales.  Hind  toe  short ;  inner  toe  exceeding  the  outer  in 
length.  Claws  blunt,  slightly  arched. 


THE   BRONZE-WINGED   PIGEON. 


THE  HACKLED   GROUND   PIGEON. 


This  is  a  powerfully-built  bird,  with  a  strong  beak,  furnished  with  a 
soft,  conical  excrescence  at  its  base;   the  feet  approximate  the  gallina- 


242 


THE   HACKLED   GROUND    PIGEON. 


ceous  type,  having  stout  tarsi  and  short  toes;  the  long  wings  when 
closed  extend  almost  to  the  tip  of  the  founded  tail,  which  is  composed 
of  twelve  broad  feathers.  The  plumage  is  richly  coloured,  and  so  pro- 
longed around  the  throat  as  to  form  a  complete  mane  or  collar.  The 
head,  throat,  entire  under  side,  and  wings  are  blackish  green,  the 
feathers  on  the  lower  part  of  the  body  edged  with  blue;  the  longest  of 
the  collar  feathers,  back,  rump,  and  feathers  of  wing  covers  are  of  grass-- 
green, with  a  metallic  lustre,  the  shorter  collar-feathers  being  of  a 
glossy,  golden  hue,  and  those  of  the  tail  a  pure  white.  The  eye  is 
light  reddish  brown,  the  beak  blackish,  and  the  foot  reddish  purple. 
The  length  is  fourteen  inches,  the  breadth  across  the  wings  twenty-nine 


HACKLED   Q  BOUND   1'IGEON. 


inches ;  the  wing  measures  nine  inches  and  a  half,  and  the  tail  two 
inches  and  two-thirds.  This  beautiful  bird,  according  to  Jerdon,  is  met 
with  on  the  Andaman  and  Nicobar  Islands,  the  Merqui  Archipelago, 
the  Philippines  and  Malaya  generally,  usually  preferring  to  settle  upon 
the  small  unoccupied  islands.  Though,  like  its  congeners,  it  possesses 
considerable  powers  of  flight,  it  seeks  the  grain  and  insects  that  afford 
it  the  means  of  sustenance  almost  exclusively  on  the  ground,  upou 
which  it  passes  the  entire  day,  only  leaving  its  surface  to  seek  a  perch 
whereon  to  sleep. 


THE    ROCK-DOTE. 


243 


THE   ROCK-DOVE. 

This  species  is  spread  over  a  great  portion  of  Europe,  Asia,  and 

Northern  Africa,  abound- 
ing in  the  rocky  islands  of 
the  Mediterranean  and  in 
the  Orkneys.  The  Rock- 
dove  is  more  slender  than 
the  Stock-dove,  and  is 
astonishingly  rapid  in 
flight.  It  may  ;  t  once  be 
distinguished  from  the 
latter  by  the  white  color 
of  the  lower  part  of  the 
back,  and  the  two  distinct 
bands  of  leaden  black 
across  the  wings.  It  is  to 
the  Rock-dove  a  species 
almost  universally  spread 
in  its  wild  state  through- 
out the  Old  World,  that 
the  domestic  Pigeon  and 
its  varieties  must  be 
referred.  All  these  varie- 
ties breed  with  each  other, 
and  with  the  wild  Rock- 
dove  ;  and  without  due  care, 
all  soon  degenerate,  as  it  is  termed,  and  acquire  the  original  form  and 
coloring. 

"Under  tms  species,"  writes  Mr.  Selby,  "  we  include  not  only  the- 
common  Pigeon,  or  inhabitant  of  the  dove-cot,  but  all  those  numer- 
ous varieties,  or,  as  they  are  frequently  termed,  races  of  domesticated* 
Pigeons,  so  highly  prized,  and  fostered  with  such  care  and  attention 
by  the  amateur  breeder  or  Pigeon  fancier;  for,  however  diversified? 
their  forms,  color  or  peculiarity  of  habit  rray  be,  we  consider  them  all 
as  having  originated  from  a  few  accidental  varieties  of  the  common< 
Pigeon,  and  not  from  any  cross  of  that  bird  with  other  species,  n& 
signs  or  marks  whatever  of  such  being  apparent  in  any  of  the  numer- 
ous varieties  known  to  us.  In  fact,  the  greater  part  of  them  owe 
their  existence  to  the  interference  and  the  art  of  man ;  for  by  separting 
from  the  parent  stock  such  accidental  varieties  as  have  occasionally 
occurred,  by  subjecting  these  to  captivity  and  domestication,  and  by 
assorting  them  and  pairing  them  together,  as  fancy  or  caprice  suges- 
ted,  he  has  at  intervals  generated  all  the  various  races  and  peculiar 
varieties  which,  it  is  well  known,  when  once  produced,  may  be  per- 
petuated for  an  indefinite  perod,  by  being  kept  separate  from,  and 
unmixed  with  others;  or  what  by  those  interested  in  such  pursuits  ia 
usually  termed  '  breeding  in  and  in.' " 
16 


THE   ROCK-DOVE. 


244 


DOUBLE-CRESTED  PIGEON — AROMATIC   VINAGO. 


THE   DOUBLE-CRESTED   PIGEOX. 

New  Holland  and  Java  are  the  native  localities  of  this  species.  Yhe 
head  is  ornamented  with  a  frontal  crest  composed  of  long  recurved  lax 
feathers,  advancing  even  on  the  bill,  and  of  a  bluish  gray  colour  tinged 
with  rufous ;  behind  this,  on  the  back  of  the  head,  is  a  second  crest  of 
rich  rufous  and  composed  of  long  decumbent  feathers  with  open  bar- 
bules  and  bounded  by  a  black  streak  running  back  from  each  eye  ;  bill 
rich  orange ;  sides  and  front  of  the  neck,  together  with  the  breast,  pale 
gray,  the  base  of  the  feathers  being  black ;  legs  crimson. 


THE   AROMATIC   VINAGO. 

This  bird  is  a  native  of  India,  Java,  and  the  adjaa .  it  islands. 
of  a  mild  and  timorous  disposi- 
tion, and  is  generally  seen  in 
Socks     or 
during   the 


It  is 


societies,  except 
period  of  repro- 
duction, when  they  pair,  arid 
retire  to  the  recesses  of  the 
forest.  The  nest  is  simple  and 
composed  of  a  few  twigs  loosely 
put  together,  and  the  eggs  are 
two.  The  base  or  softer  part  of 
the  bill  is  a  blackish  grey,  th^ 
tip  yellowish  white,  strong, 
much  hooked,  and  bulging  on 
the  side.  The  forehead  is  of  a 
bright  silken  green,  the  crown 
greenish'  grey,  the  chin  and 
throat  gamboge-yellow,  the 
remainder  of  the  neck,  the 
breast,  belly,  lower  back  and 
rump,  yellowish  green.  The 
tail  has  the  two  middle  feathers 
wholly  green,  and  slightly  ex- 
ceeding the  rest  in  length.  In 
its  habits  it  is  arboreal. 

Mr.  Selby  gives  the  follow- 
ing note  which  accompanied  the  skins  of  Virago  militaris,  and  Vinago 
aromatica.  " Green  Pigeon. — This  beautiful  bird  has  brilliant  red  eyes. 
•Its  feet  are  something  like  the  Parrot's,  and  it  climbs  in  the  same 
w<vy  as  that  bird.  lit  is  very  difficult  to  find ;  for  although  a  flock 
is  marked  into  a  tree,  yet  its  color  is  so  similar  to  the  leaf  of  the 
banyan  (on  the  small  red  fig  of  which  it  feeds),  that  if  a  bird  does  not 
move  you  may  look  for  many  minutes  before  you  can  see  one,  al 
though  there  may  be  fifty  in  the  tree." 


THE    AROMATIC   VINAGO. 


GALLINACEOUS     BIRDS. 


Ix  tbe  birds  of  this  order,  the  bill  is  convex,  the  upper  mandible 
lying  in  an  arch  over  the  lower  one ;  and  the  nostrils  are  arched  over 
with  a*  cartilaginous  membrane.  The  feet  are  formed  for  running, 
without  a  back  toe;  and  the  toes  are  rough  underneath. 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 


THE   AMERICAN,    OR  COMMON  TURKEY. 

The  hunting  of  these  birds  forms  one  of  the  principal  diversions  of 
the  natives  of  Canada.  When  they  have  discovered  the  retreat  of  a 
ilock  of  Turkeys,  which  in  general  is  near  fields  of  nettles,  or  where 
there  is  plenty  of  any  kind  of  grain,  they  send  a  well-trained  dog  into 
the  midst  of  the  flock.  The  birds  no  sooner  perceive  their  enemy, 
then  they  run  off  at  full  speed,  and  with  such  swiftness,  that  they  leave 
the  dog  far  behind.  He,  however,  follows' ;  and  at  last  forces  them  to 
take  shelter  in  a  tree ;  where  they  sit,  spent  and  fatigued,  till  the 
hunters  come  up,  and  with  long  poles  knock  them  down  one  after 
another. 

Turkeys  were  first  introduced  from  North  America  into  England  in 

245 


246 


THE  AMERICAN,  OR  COMMON  TURKEY. 


the  reign  of  Henry  the  Eighth.  According  to  Tusser's  "  Five  Hundred 
Pointes  of  good  Husbandrie,"  they  began  about  the  year  1585  to  form 
An  article  in  our  rural  Christmas  feasts : 


COMMON  TURKEY. 


Beefe,  mutton,  and  pork,  shred  pies  of  the  best, 
Pig,  veale,  goose,  and  capon,  and  furkie  well  drest 
Cheese,  apples,  and  nuts,  jolly  carols  to  heare, 
As  then  in  the  countrie  is  counted  good  cheare." 

These  birds,  among  themselves,  are  extremely  furious ;   and   yet 

against  other  animals  they  are  gene- 
rally weak  and  cowardly.  The 
domestic  cock  often  makes  them  keep 
at  a  distance ;  and  they  seldom 
venture  to  attack  him  but  with  united 
force,  when  the  cock  is  rather 
oppressed  by  their  weight  than  an- 
noyed by  their  weapons.  There  have, 
however,  occurred  instances  in  which 
the  Turkey-cock  has  not  been  found 
wanting  in  prowess: — A  gentleman  of 
New  York  received  from  a  distance  a 
Turkey-cock  and  hen,  and  a  pair  of 
Bantams,  which  he  put  into  his  yard 
with  other  poultry.  Some  time  after- 
wards, as  he  was  feeding  them  from  the 
barn-door,  a  large  hawk  suddenly 
turned  the  corner  of  the  barn,  and  made  a  pitch  at  the  Bantam-hen. 
She  immediately  gave  the  alarm,  by  a  noise  which  is  natural  to  poultry 
on  such  occasions.  On  hearing  this,  the  Turkey-cock,  which  was  at  a 
little  distance,  and  no  doubt  understood  the  Hawk's  intentions,  and  the 

imminent  danger  of  his  old  acquaint- 
ance, flew  at  the  tyrant  with  such 
violence,  and  gave  him  so  severe  a 
stroke  with  his  spurs  when  about  to 
seize  his  prey,  as  to  knock  him  from 
the  hen  to  a  considerable  distance; 
and  the  timely  aid  of  this  faithful 
auxiliary  saved  the  bantam  from 
being  devoured. 

To  this  I  can  add  another  in- 
stance (though  very  different  in  its 
nature)  of  the  gallantry  of  the  Tur- 
key-cock. In  the  month  of  May, 
1798,  a  female  Turkey,  belonging 
to  a  gentleman  in  Sweden,  was 
sitting  upon  eggs :  and  as  the  cock, 
in  her  absence,  began  to  appear 
uneasy  and  dejected,  he  was  put 
into  the  place  with  her.  He  immediately  sat  down  by  her  side  ;  and  it 
was  soon  found  that  he  had  taken  some  eggs  from  under  her,  and  had 


DOMESTIC   TURKEY-COCK. 


THE   AMERICAN,    OR   COMMON    TURKEY. 


117 


himself  sat  upon  them.  The  eggs  were  put  back,  but  he  soon  after- 
wards took  them  again.  This  induced  the  owner,  by  way  of  experiment, 
to  have  a  nest  made,  and  as  many  eggs  put  into  it  as  it  was  thought 
the  cock  could  conveniently  cover.  The  bird  seemed  highly  pleased  with 
this  mark  of  confidence ;  he  sat  with  great  patience  on  the  eggs,  and  was 
BO  attentive  to  the  care  of  hatching  them,  as  scarcely  to  afford  himself 
time  to  take  the  food  necessary  for  his  support.  At  the  usual  period, 
twenty-eight  young-ones  were  produced:  and  the  cock,  which  was 
in  some  measure  the  parent  of  this  numerous  offspring,  appeared 


THE  OCELLATED  TURRET. 


perplexed  on  seeing  so  many  little  creatures  picking  around  him,  and 
requiring  his  care.  He  was  not,  however,  trusted  with  the  rearing  of 
tie  brood,  lest  he  should  neglect  them ;  and  they  were  reared  by 
other  means. 

The  disposition  of  the  female  Turkey  is  in  general  much  more 
mild  and  gentle  than  that  of  the  male.  When  leading  out  her  young 
family  to  collect  their  food,  though  so  large  and  apparently  so  power- 
ful a  bird,  she  gives  them  very  little  protection  against  the  attacks  of 


248 


THE  AMERICAN,  OR  COMMON  TURKEY. 


any  rapacious  animal  that  comes  in  her  way.  She  rather  warns  then 
to  shift  for  themselves,  than  prepares  to  defend  them.  "  I  have  heard 
a  lurkey-hen,  when  at  the  head  of  her  brood,  (says  the  Abbe  de  la 


Pluche,)  send  forth  the  most  piteous  scream,  without  my  be'ng  nbla 
to  perceive  the  cause:  her  young-ones,  however,  immediately  when 
t1"*  warning  was  g;ven,  skulked  under  the  bushes,  grass,  or  wbaiovur 


THE   AMERICANA   CR   COMMON   TURKEY.  249 

else  seemed  to  offer  shelter  cr  protection.  They  even  stretched  them 
selves  at  full  length  on  the  ground,  and  continued  lying  motionless  as 
if  dead.  In  the  meantime  the  mother,  with  her  eyes  directed  upwards, 
continued  her  cries  and  screaming  as  before.  On  looking  up,  in  the 
direction  in  which  sh<j  seemed  to  gaze,  I  discovered  a  black  spot  just 
under  the  clouds,  cut  was  unable  at  first  to  determine  what  it  was ; 
however,  it  soon  appeared  to  be  a  bird  of  prey,  though  at  first  at  too 
great  a  distance  to  be  distinguished.  I  have  seen  one  of  these  ani- 
mals continue  in  this  agitated  state,  and  her  whole  brood  pinned  down 
as  it  were  to  the  ground,  for  four  hours  together;  whilst  their  for- 
midable foe  has  taken  his  circuits,  has  mounted,  and  hovered  directly 
over  their  heads:  at  last,  upon  his  disappearing,  the  parent  changed 
her  note,  and  sent  forth  another  cry,  which  in  an  instant  gave  life  to 
the  whole  trembling  tribe,  and  they  all  flocked  around  her  with  ex- 
pressions of  pleasure,  as  if  conscious  of  their  happy  escape  from 
danger." 

Josselyn  says  that  he  has  eaten  part  of  a  Turkey-cock  which,  after 
it  was  plucked  and  the  entrails  were  taken  out,  weighed  thirty  pounds. 
Lawson,  whose  authority  is  unquestionable,  saw  half  a  Turkey  serve 
eight  hungry  men  for  t\vo  meals,  and  says  that  he  had  seen  others 
which  he  believed  would  each  weigh  forty  pounds.  Some  writers 
assert  that  instances  have  occurred  of  Turkeys  weighing  sixty  pounds. 

The  females  lay  their  eggs  in  spring,  generally  in  some  retired 
and  obscure  place;  for  the  cock,  enraged  at  the  loss  of  his  mate 
\vhile  she  is  employed  in  hatching,  is  apt  otherwise  to  break  them. 
They  sit  on  their  eggs  with  so  much  perseverance,  that  if  not  taken 
away,  they  will  sometimes  perish  with  hunger  rather  than  leave  the 
nest.  They  are  exceedingly  affectionate  to  their  offspring. 

In  a  wild  state  Turkeys  are  gregarious ;  and  associate  in  flocks, 
consisting  sometimes  of  more  than  five  hundred.  They  frequent  the 
great  swamps  of  America  to  roost;  but  they  leave  these  at  sun-rise, 
to  repair  to  the  dry  woods  in  search  of  acorns  and  berries.  They 
perch  on  trees,  and  gain  the  height  they  wish  by  rising  from  bough  to 
bough ;  and  they  generally  mount  to  the  summits  of  even  the  loftiest 
trees,  so  as  to  be  beyond  musket-shot.  They  run  very  swiftly,  but 
they  fly  awkardly  ;  and  about  the  month  of  March  they  become  so  fat 
that  they  cannot  fly  beyond  three  or  four  hundred  yards,  and  are  then 
easily  run  down  by  a  horseman. 

It  is  seldom  indeed  that  wild  Turkeys  are  now  seen  in  the  inhabited 
parts  of  America ;  and  they  are  only  found  in  great  numbers,  in  the 
distant  and  most  unfrequented  parts.  If  the  eggs  of  wild  Turkeys  be 
hatched  under  the  tame  birds,  the  offspring  are  said  still  to  retain  a 
certain  degree  of  wild  ness,  and  to  perch  separate  from  the  others  ;  yet 
they  will  mix  and  breed  together  in  the  season. 

The  Indians  make  an  elegant  clothing  of  the  feathers  of  Turkeys. 
Thy  twist  the  inner  webs  into  a  strong  double  string  with  hemp,  or 
<vith  the  inner  bark  of  the  mulberry -tree,  and  work  it  like  matting. 
This  appears  very  rich  and  glossy,  and  as  fine  as  silk  shag.  The 
natives  of  Louisiana  make  fans  of  the  tail ;  and  of  four  tails  joined 
together,  the  French  used  formerly  to  construct  a  parasoL 


250 


THE   CRESTED,  OR   COMMON   PEACOCK. 


OF  THE   PEACOCK  TEIBE   IN  GENERAL. 

The  bill  is  strong  and  convex.     The  head  is  covered  with  feather* 
which   bend   backward.     The   nostrils   are 
large.     The  feathers  of  the  train  are  long, 
broad,  expansile,  and  covered  with  eye-like 
spots. 

There  are  only  four  known  species  of 
Peacocks.  These  are  birds,  for  the  most 
part,  of  large  size.  They  feed  on  insects, 
fruit,  and  grain.  One  of  them  (the  common 
kind)  is  an  inhabitant  of  Asia  and  Africa, 
another  of  China,  the  third  of  Thibet,  and 
the  fourth  of  Japan. 


THE  CRESTED,  OR  COMMON  PEACOCK. 

If,  says  M.  de  Buffon,  empire  were  claimed  by  beauty,  and  not  by 
power,  the  Peacock  would, 
without  contradiction,  be  the 
king  of  birds.  For  elegance 
of  form,  and  brilliancy  of 
plumage,  it  is  exceeded  by 
none  of  the  feathered  race. 
On  the  Peacock  it  is  that 
nature  appears  to  have  be- 
stowed her  treasures  with  the 
greatest  profusion.  Its  large 
flze,  imposing  manner,  firm 
tread,  and  noble  figure:  the 
rich  crest  upon  its  head, 
adorned  with  brilliant  colors: 
its  matchless  plumage,  ap- 
pearing to  combine  every 
thing  that  can  delight  the  eye 
— all  contend  to  place  it  high 
in  our  esteem.  These  beau- 
tiful plumes,  however,  are 
shed  every  year.  At  this 
period  the  bird  seems  humili- 
ated ;  and  searches  the  shades, 
in  order  to  conceal  himself 
from  our  eyes  until  a  new  spring  restores  to  him  his  usual  attire. 

The  brilliant  train  of  the  Peacock  is  not  its  tail :  the  long  feathers 
that  form  it  do  not  grow  from  the  rump,  but  upon  the  back.  A  range 
of  short,  brown,  stiff  feathers,  fixed  upon  the  rump,  is  the  real  tail,  and 
•erves  as  a  support  to  the  train.  When  the  train  is  elevated,  nothing 


COWMOH   PXACOCK. 


THE     BRUSH    TURKEY.  251 

appears  of  the  bird  in  front,  except  its  head  and  neck ;  but  this  would 
not  be  the  case,  were  those  long  feathers  fixed  only  on  the  rump.  By 
a  strong  muscular  vibration,  these  birds  can  make  the  shafts  of  their 
long  feathers  clatter  together  like  the  swords  of  a  sword-dancer. 

Peacocks  are  found  wild  in  Asia  and  Africa  :  but  the  largest  ami 
finest  of  these  birds  are  seen  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Ganges,  an  J 
in  the  fervid  plains  of  India.  They  are  mentioned  in  the  Saorea 
Writings,  where  they  are  enumerated  as  constituting  part  of  the  oar 
goes  of  the  fleet  which  imported  the  treasures  of  the  East  to  the  sourt 
of  Solomon. 

Thes3  birds  were  highly  esteemed  by  the  Romans.  Pliny  states, 
that  the  first  Roman  who  ordered  Peacocks  to  be  served  up  at  hia 
table,  was  Hortensius,  in  a  grand  entertainment  which  he  gave  when 
he  was  consecrated  high  priest.  Marcus  Aufidius  Lurco  was  the  first 
who  attempted  to  fatten  these  birds  in  a  manner  which  was  peculiar 
to  himself,  and  by  which  he  is  said  to  have  derived  an  annual  income 
of  more  than  sixty  thousand  sesterces. 

The  females  lay  only  a  few  eggs  at  a  time,  and  these  at  a  distance 
of  usually  three  or  four  days  from  each  other.  When  they  are  at 
liberty  and  act  from  natural  instinct,  they  always  deposit  their  eggs 
in  some  sequestered  or  secret  place.  These  are  white  and  spotted, 
like  the  eggs  of  the  Turkey.  The  incubation  occupies  from  twenty- 
seven  to  thirty  days,- according  to  the  temperature  of  the  climate  and 
of  the  season. 

As  Peacocks,  in  this  country,  are  not  able  to  fly  well,  they  climb 
from  branch  to  branch,  to  the  tops  of  the  highest  trees.  From  these 
and  from  the  roofs  of  nouses,  it  is,  that  they  usually  make  their  harsh 
and  very  peculiar  cry.  In  this  cry,  one  note  is  deep  and  the  other 
sharp,  the  latter  exactly  an  octave  above  the  former ;  and  both  hav 
somewhat  of  the  piercing  sound  of  a  trumpet. 

The  females  of  this  species,  like  those  of  the  Pheasant,  have  some 
times  been  known  to  assume  the  plumes  of  the  male.  Lady  Tynte 
had  a  favorite  pied  Peahen,  which  eight  times  produced  chicks 
Having  moulted  when  about  eleven  years  old,  the  lady  and  her  family 
were  astonished  to  see  her  display  the  feathers  that  are  peculiar  to 
the  other  sex,  and  appear  like  a  pied  Peacock.  In  the  following 
year  she  moulted  again,  and  produced  similar  feathers.  In  the  third 
year  she  did  the  same,  and  then  had  also  spurs  resembling  those  of 
the  cock.  The  hen  never  bred  after  this  change  of  her  plumage 

THE   BRUSH   TURKEY. 

The  Megapodidas,  deriving  their  name  from  the  enormous  size  of 
their  feet,  are  inhabitants  of  Australia  and  the  Papuan  Islands.  In 
the  habits  of  these  birds  there  is  a  peculiarity  hardly  less  singular 
than  surprising.  Instead  of  hatching  their  eggs  by  the  warmth  of 
the  body,  as  most  other  birds  do,  not  excepting  the  Ostrich,  the  Meg« 
apodes  bary  their  eggs  in  a  decaying  heap  of  grass  and  leaves,  trust- 
ing  to  the  heat  furnished  by  the  fermentation  to  hatch  the  eggs. 

Brush  Turkey  is  principally  found  in  the  thick  brushwood  of 


252 


THE   MOUND-MAKING    MAGAPODE. 


BRUSH   TURKEY. 


South  "Wales.  Mr.  Gould,  who  first  brought  it  before  the  public, 
gives  this  curious  account  of  their  nests : — "  The  mode  in  which  the 
materials  composing 
these  mounds  are 
accumulated  is  equal- 
ly singular,  the  bird 
never  using  its  bill, 
but  always  grasping 
A  quantity  in  its  foot, 
l  h  r  o  w  i  r  g  it  back- 
wards tr  *  3  common 
centre,  and  thus 
clearing  the  surface 
of  the  ground  for  a 
considerable  distance 
so  completely  that 
scarcely  a  leaf  or  a 
blade  of  grass  is  left. 
The  heap  being  accu- 
mulated, and  time 
allowed  for  a  sum" 
cient  heat  to  be  engendered,  the  eg^s  are  deposited,  not  side  by  side 
as  is  ordinarily  the  case,  but  planted  at  the  distance  of  nine  or  twelve 
inches  from  each  other,  and  buried  at  nearly  an  arm's  depth,  perfectly 
upright,  with  the  large  end  upwards.  They  are  covered  up  as  they 
ars  laid,  and  allowed  to  remain  until  hatched.  I  am  crediblv 
informed,  both  by  natives  and  settlers  living  near  their  haunts,  that 
it  is  not  an  unusual  event  to  obtain  nearly  a  bushel  of  eggs  at  one 
time  from  a  single  heap  ;  and  as  they  are  delicious  eating  they  are 
eagerly  sought  after. 

When  the  Brush  Turkey  is  disturbed,  it  either  runs  through  the 
tangled  underwood  with  singular  rapidity,  or  springs  upon  a  low 
branch  of  some  tree,  and  reaches  the  summit  by  a  succession  of  leapa 
from  branch  to  branch.  This  latter  peculiarity  renders  it  an  easy  prey 
to  the  sportsman. 

THE    MOUND-MAKING     MEGAPODE, 

Inhabits  the  dense  thickets  bordering  on  the  sea-shore,  and  is  neve? 
found  far  inland.  Like  the  Brush  Turkey,  it  deposits  many  eggs  in 
one  mound,  but  instead  of  placing  them  at  intervals  in  the  mound, 
the  bird  makes  deep  holes,  from  five  to  six  feet,  at  the  bottom  nf 
which  ths  eggs  are  deposited.  The  natives  obtain  the  eggs  by 
scratching  up  the  earth  with  their  fingers,  until  they  have  traced  the 
hole  to  the  bottom  ;  a  very  laborious  task,  as  the  holes  seldom  run 
straight,  and  turn  oft'  at  right  angles  to  avoid  a  stone  or  root.  The 
mounds  are  enormously  large.  Mr.  Gilbert  was  told  by  the  residents 
that  they  were  the  tombs  of  the  aborgines,  nor  was  it  until  after  some 
time  that  their  real  nature  was  made  known.  The  height  of  one 
mound  was  fifteen  feet,  and  its  circumference  at  the  base  sixty  feet. 


THE    COMMON    PHEASANT.  253 


OF  THE  PHEASANT  TEIBE  IN  GENEJIAL. 

TifE  characters  of  the  present  tribe  are  a  short,  convex,  and  strong 
hill ;  the  bead  more  or  less  covered  with  carunculated  bare  flesh  on 
the  sides,  wlrich  in  some  species  is  continued  upwards  to  the  crown, 
si  ml  beneath  so  as  to  hang  pendent  under  each  jaw  ;  *nd  the  legs  in 
most  of  the  species  are  furnished  with  spurs. 

The  females  of  this  tribe  produce  many  young-ones  at  a  brood: 
these  they  take  care  of  for  some  time,  leading  them  abroad,  and  point- 
ing out  food  for  them.  The  nests  of  the  whole  tribe  are  formed  on 
the  ground. 


THE    COMMON    PHEASANT. 

This  beautiful  bird  is  very  common  in  almost  all  the  southern  parts 
of  the  Old  Continent,  whence  it  was  originally  imported  into  our 
country. 

Pheasants  are  much  attached  to  the  shelter  of  thickets  and 
woods,  where  the  grass  is  long;  but,  like  Partridges,  they  likewise 
breed  in  clover-fields.  They  form  their  nests  oh  the  ground  :  and 
the  females  lay  from  twelve  to  fifteen  'eggs,  which  are  smaller  than 
those  of  the  domestic  hen.  In  the  mowing  of  clover  near  woods  that 
are  frequented  by  Pheasants,  the  destruction  of  their  eggs  is  some- 
times very  great.  In  some  places,  therefore,  game-keepers  have  direc- 
tions to  hunt  the  birds  from  these  fields  as  soon  as  they  begin  to  lay, 
until  their  haunt  is  broken,  and  they  retire  into  the  corn.  Poultry 
liens  are  often  kept  ready  for  sitting  on  any  e^rgs  that  may  be  ex- 
posed by  the  scythe;  and,  with  care,  great  numbers  are  thus  rescued 
from  destruction.  The  nest  of  the  Pheasant  is  usually  composed  of 
a  few  dry  vegetables  put  carelessly  together,  and  the  young- ones  fol- 
low their  mother,  like  chickens,  as  soon  as  they  break  the  shell.  The 
parents  and  their  brood,  if  undisturbed,  remain  in  the  stubbles  and 
hedgerows,  for  some  time  after  the  corn  is  ripe.  If  disturbed,  they 
seek  the  woods,  and  only  issue  thence  in  the  mornings  and  evenings 
to  feed  among  the  stubbles.  These  birds  are  fond  of  corn;  but  can 
procure  a  subsistence  without  it;  since  they  often  feed  on  the  wild 
berries  of  the  woods,  and  on  acorns. 

In  confinement  the  female  Pheasant  neither  lays  so  many  eggs,  nor 
hatches  nor  rears  her  brood  with  as  much  cure  and  vigilance,  as  in  the 
tL-lds  out  of  the  immediate  observation  of  man.  Indeed,  in  the  busi- 
ness both  of  incubation  and  rearing  the  young-ones,  the  domestio 
Lien  is  generally  made  a  substitute  for  the  lien  Pheasant. 

The  wings  of  these  birds  are  short,  and  ill-adapted  for  considerable 
Rights.  On  this  account,  the  Pheasants  on  the  island  called  Jsola 
A/adre  in  the  Layo  Mayijoire  at  Turin,  as  they  cannot  fly  over  the 
lake,  are  imprisoned.  When  they  attempt  to  cross,  they  are  almost 
always  drowned.  The  Pheasant  is  a  stupid  bird.  On  being  roused 
it  will  often  perch  on  a  neighbouring  tree,  where  its  attention  will  be 


254 


THE    COMMON     PHEASANT. 


BO  fixed  on  the  dogs,  that  the  sportsman  can  without  difficulty  ap 
proach  within  gun-shot.  It  has  been  asserted  that  the  Pheasant  ima 
gines  itself  out  of  danger  whenever  its  head  only  is  concealed.  Sports- 
men, however,  who  recount  the  stratagems  that  they  have  known  old 
Cock  Pheasants  to  adopt,  in  thick  and  extensive  coverts,  before  they 
could  be  compelled  to  take  win<r,  convince  us  that  this  bird  is  by  nd 
means  deficient  in  the  contrivances  that  are  necessary  for  its  own' 
preservation. 

At  the  commencement  of  cold  weather,  Pheasants  fly  after  sun  set 
into  the  braiiches  of  *the  oak-trees,  and  there  roosc  during  tLe  i  I 


COMMON  PHEASANTS. 


This  they  do  more  frequently  as  the  winter  advances,  and  the  trees 
lose  their  foliage.  The  male  birds,  at  these  times,  make  a  noise, 
which  they  repeat  three  or  four  times  successively,  called  by  sports- 
men cocketmg.  The  hens,  on  flying  up,  utter  one  shrill  whittle,  and 
Vhcn  are  silent.  Poachers  avail  themselves  of  these  notes,  to  discover 
ibe  roosting  places ;  and  there  (in  woods  that  are  not  well  watched) 
they  shoot  them  with  the  greatest  certaintv.  Where  woods  are 
watched,  the  poacher,  by  means  of  phosphorus,  lights  several  brimstone 
matches;  and  he  moment  the  sulphurous  fumes  reach  the  birds, 
they  drop  to  the  ground.  Or,  he  fastens  a  snare  of  wire  to  the  end 
of  a  long  pole  ;  a  ad  by  means  of  this,  drags  them,  one  by  one,  from 
the  trees.  lie  sometimes  catches  these  birds  in  nooses  made  of  wire, 
or  twisted  horsehair,  or  even  with  a  briar  set  in  the  form  of  a  noose, 
at  the  verge  of  a  wood.  The  birds  entangle  themselves  in  these,  as 


THE    HORNED   PHFASANT.  255 

they  run  into  tLe  adjacent  fields  to  feed.     Foxes  destroy  great  num 
bers  of  Pheasants. 

The  males  begin  to  crow  during  the  first  week  in  March ;  and  the 
noise  can  be  heard  at  a  considerable  distance.  They  occasionally 
come  into  farm -yards  in  the  vicinity  of  coverts  where  they  abound, 
and  sometimes  produce  a  cross  breed  with  the  common  fowls. 

It  has  been  contended  that  Pheasants  are  so  shy,  as  not  to  be 
tamed  without  great  difficulty.  Where,  however,  their  natural  fear 
of  man  has  been  counteracted,  from  their  having  been  bred  under 
his  protection  ;  and  where  he  has  almost  constantly  appeared  be- 
fore their  eyes  in  their  coverts,  they  will  come  to  feed  immediately 
on  hearing  the  keeper's  whistle.  They  will  follow  the  keeper  in 
flocks ;  and  scarcely  allow  the  peas  to  run  from  his  bag  into  troughs 
placed  for  the  purpose,  before  they  begin  to  eat.  Those  that  cannot 
find  room  at  one  trough,  follow  him '  with  the  same  familiarity  to 
others 

Pheasants  are  found  in  most  parts  of  England,  but  are  by  no  means 
plentiful  in  the  north  ;  and  they  are  seldom  seen  in  Scotland.  Wood 
and  corn  lands  seem  necessary  to  their  existence.  Were  it  not  for  the 
exertions  of  gentlemen  of  property,  in  preserving  these  birds  in  their 
woods  from  the  attacks  of  poachers  and  sportsmen,  the  breed,  in  a  few 
years,  would  be  extinct.  The  demand  for  Pheasants  at  the  tables  of 
the  luxurious,  and  the  easy  mark  they  offer  to  the  sportsman,  particu- 
larly since  the  art  of  shooting  fly  ing  }i&&  been  generally  practised,  would 
soon  complete  their  destruction.  Mr.  Stackhouse,  of  Pendarvis  in 
Cornwall,  informed  me,  that  forty  years  ago,  he  recollects  hearing  old 
people  say,  that  in  their  youth,  and  in  the  generation  before  them, 
Pheasants  were  very  plentiful  in  that  county ;  but  the  race  is  now 
extinct. 

The  general  weight  of  male  Pheasants  is  from  two  pounds  and  a 

l£  to  three  pounds  and  a  quarter.  That  of  the  hens  is  usually  about 
ten  ounces  less. 

The  female  birds  have  sometimes  been  known  to  assume  the  plu- 
mage of  the  male.  But  with  Pheasants  in  a  state  of  confinement,  those 
that  take  this  new  plumage  always  become  barren,  and  are  spurned 
and  bufleted  by  the  rest.  From  what  took  place  in  a  hen  Pheasant, 
belonging  to  a  lady,  a  friend  of  Sir  Joseph  Banks,  it  would  seem  prob- 
able that  this  change  arises  from  some  alteration  of  temperament  at  a 
late  period  of  the  animal's  life  This  lady  had  paid  particular  attention 
to  the  breeding  of  Pheasants.  One  of  the  hens,  after  having  produced 
several  broods,  moulted,  and  the  succeeding  feathers  were  exactly  like 
those  of  a  cock.  This  animal,  however  never  afterward  had  young- 


THE   HORNED   PHEASANT. 

This  beautiful  specimen  of  the  genus  Pheasant  is  a  native  of  China 
and  Thibet.  It  is  as  rare  as  it  is  beautiful.  But  one  has  as  yet 
reached  Europe.  In  size  it  is  between  a  Turkey  and  common  fowl. 


256 


THE   HORNED    PHEASANT. 


Their  usual  haunts,  pays  "  Mountaineer,"  are  high  up,  not  far  from 
the  snows,  in  dense,  and  gloomy  forests,  where  they  live  either  alone,  or 
in  small  scattered  parties,  In  winter  they  descend  the  hills,  and  then 
their  favorite  haunts  are  in  the  thickest  parts  of  the  forests  of  oak, 
chestnut  and  morenda  pine,  where  the  box  tree  is  abundant,  and  where 
under  the  forest  trees  a  luxuriant  growth  of  "  ringalt"  or  the  hill  bamboo 
forms  an  underwood  in  some  places  almost  impenetrable.  They  keep 


» 


in  companies  of  from  two  or  three  to  ten  or  a  dozen  or  more,  not  in 
compact  flocks,  but  scattered  widely  over  a  considerable  space  of  forest, 
so  that  many  at  times  get  quite  separated  and  are  found  alone.  Jerdon 
tells  us  that  if  undisturbed,  they  generally  remain  pretty  close  together, 
and  appear  to  return  year  after  year  to  the  same  spot,  even  though  the 
ground  be  covered  with  snow,  for  they  find  their  living  then  upon 
the  trees. 


THE   CHINESE  PHEASANT — THE  ARGUS  PHEASANT.  2-57 


THE  CHINESE   PHEASANT. 

This  bird  is  distinguished  by  having  a  yellow  crest,  the  breast 
scarlet,  the  back  and  rump  yellow,  the  upper  tail  coverts  long,  narrow, 
and  red,  the  wing  coverts  varied  with  bay  and  brown,  the  quill -feathers 
brown,  with  yellowish  spots,  and  the  secondary  quiil-feathers  blue. 

The  singular  beauty  of  the  Chinese  Pheasants  has  long  i\  ndered 
these  birds  objects  of  admiration.  Though  inhabitants  of  the  warmer 
districts  of  China,  they  can,  without  difficulty,  be  kept  in  aviaries  in 
our  own  country.  The  females  are  smaller  than  the  males,  have  a 
shorter  tail,  and  plumage  of  much  less  brilliant  color.  In  many  in- 
stances, however,  when  old,  they  have  been  known,  like  the  Pea-hen, 
and  the  female  European  Pheasant,  to  assume  a  plumage  similar  to 
that  of  the  male. 

The  eggs  of  the  Chinese  Pheasant  resemble  those  of  the  Guinea 
fowl ;  and  are  in  proportion  smaller  than  those  of  the  poultry-hens. 

Sir  Hans  Sloane  kept  a  male  Chinese  Pheasant  nearly  fifteen  years, 
during  the  whole  of  which  time  it  continued  in  perfect  health.  From 
this  bird  he  obtained  a  mixed  breed  with  the  common  Pheasant.  Of 
this  breed  the  produce  had  a  plumage  much  less  beautiful  than  that  of 
the  Chinese  species. 

Chinese  Pheasants  suffer  more  inconvenience  in  European  climates, 
from  the  humidity  and  changeable  state  of  the  atmosphere,  than  from 
the  cold  weather  of  winter.  They  require  more  care  than  common 
Pheasants,  but  are  fed  and  attended  in  the  same  manner 


THE  ARGUS  PHEASANT. 

The  Argus  Pheasant  is  of  a  clayey-yellow  color,  spotted  with  black. 
The  face  is  red,  and  behind  the  head  is  a  blue  crest.  The  wings  are 
grey,  and  have  a  great  number  of  eye-like  spots.  The  two  middle 
feathers  of  the  tail  are  very  long,  and  are  spotted  through  their  whole 
length. 

The  Argus  Pheasant,  has  been  so  called  from  the  number  of  eye-like 
spots  with  which  its  wing-feathers  are  covered.  These  birds  are  found 
in  many  of  the  northern  parts  of  China,  and  in  several  of  the  interior 
districts  of  India  and  Sumatra.  They  are  nearly  as  large  "as  Peacocks, 
and  rank  among  the  most  beautiful  of  the  feathered  creation.  They 
are  extremely  wild,  and  very  difficult  to  be  kept  alive  for  any  length 
of  time  after  they  have  been  taken  from  the  woods.  In  a  strong  light 
they  appear  dazzled,  and  when  exposed  to  such  they  seem  melancholy 
and  inanimate ;  but  in  the  dark  they  recover  all  their  animation. 

These  birds  have  a  cry  not  much  unlike  that  of  a.  Peacock.  Their 
flesh  is  palatable,  and  in  flavor  like  that  of  the  common  Pheasant 
The  wing  and  tail-feathers  are  in  considerable  request  as  ornaments  in 
female  head-dresses. 


258 


THE    DOMESTIC  COCK. 


THE  DOMESTIC  COCK. 


This  bird  differs  very  much  from  the  wild  descendants  of  its  primi- 
tive stock ;  which  are  said  to  inhabit  the  forests  of  India,  and  znott 
of  the  islands  of  the  Indian  seas. 


"I  have  just  witnessed  (says  M.  de  Buffon)  a  curious  scene.  A 
Sparrow-hawk  alighted  in  a  populous  court-yard :  a  young  cock  of 
this  year's  hatching  instantly  darted  at  him.  and  threw  him  on  his 
back.  In  this  situation  the  Haw"k  defended  himself  with  his  talona 
and  his  bill,  intimidating  the  hens  and  Turkeys,  which  screamed  tu- 
multuously  round  him.  After  he  had  a  little  recovered  himself,  he 
rose  and  was  taking  wing,  when  the  cock  rushed  upon  him  a  second 
time,  over  turned  him,  and  held  him  down  so  long,  that  he  was  caught." 

The  cock  is  very  attentive  to  his  females,  hardly  ever  losing  sight 
of  them.  He  leads,  defends,  and  cherishes  them  :  collects  them 
together  when  they  straggle  ;  and  seems  to  eat  unwillingly  till  he  seed 
them  feeding  around  him.  Whenever  any  strange  cock  appears 


THE   DOMESTIC   FOWL.  259 

withm  his  domain,  he  immediately  attacks  the  intruder,  and  if  possi- 
ble, drives  him  away. 

His  jealousy  does  not,  however,  seem  to  be  altogether  confined  to 
his  rivals.  It  has  sometimes  been  observed  to  extend  even  to  his 
Beloved  female  ;  and  he  appears  capable  of  being  actuated  by  revenge, 
founded  on  suspicions  of  her  conjugal  infidelity.  Dr.  Percival,  ia  his 
Dissertations,  relates  an  incident  that  happened  at  the  seat  of  a  gentle 
man  near  Berwick,  which  justifies  this  remark.  "My  mowers,"  say? 
this  gentleman,  "  cut  a  Partridge  on  her  nest ;  and  immediately  brought 
the  eggs  (fourteen  in  number)  to  the  house.  I  ordered  them  to  be  pu 
under  a  very  large  and  beautiful  hen,  and  her  own  to  be  taken  away, 
They  were  hatched  in  two  days,  and  the  hen  brought  them  up  perfectly 
well  till  they  were  five  or  six  weeks  old.  During  that  time  they  werr 
constantly  kept  in  an  out-house,  without  being  seen  by  any  of  the 
other  poultry.  The  door  happening  to  be  left  open,  the  cock  got  in. 
My  housekeeper,  hearing  the  hen  in  distress,  ran  to  her  assistance  ; 
but  did  not  arrive  in  time  to  save  her  life.  The  cock,  observing  her 
with  the  brood  of  Partridges,  had  fallen  upon  her  with  the  utmost 
fury,  and  killed  her.  The  housekeeper  found  him  tearing  the  hen 
with  both  his  beak  and  spurs;  although  she  was  then  fluttering  in  tho 
last  agony,  and  incapable  of  any  resistance.  This  hen  had  formerh 
been  the  cock's  greatest  favorite." 

Mr.  Jesse  says :  "I  am  always  sorry  to  see  the  anxiety  and  misery  of 
a  hen  who  has  hatched  ducks.  When  they  take  to  the  water  she  is  in 
perfect  agony,  running  round  the  brink  of  the  pond,  and  sometimes 
flying  into  it,  in  hopes  of  rescuing  her  brood.  A  hen  who  had  reared 
three  broods  of  ducks  became  so  habituated  to  their  taking  to  the  water,, 
that  she  would  fly  to  a  large  stone  in  the  middle  of  the  pond,  and 
patiently  watch  her  brood  as  they  swam  about.  The  fourth  year  she 
hatched  her  own  eggs,  and  finding  that  her  chickens  did  not  take  to  the 
water,  she  flew  to  the  stone  in  the  pond,  and  called  to  them  with  utmost 
eagerness." 

The  patience  and  perseverance  of  the  hen  in  hatching,  are  truly  ex- 
traordinary. She  covers  her  eggs  with  her  wings,  fostering  them  with  ai 
genial  warmth  ;  and  often  turns  them,  and  changes  their  situations,  that, 
all  their  parts  may  receive  an  equal  degree  of  heat.  She  seems  to  see  the* 
importance  of  her  employment;  and  is  so  intent  on  her  occupation,  a& 
to  neglect  in  some  measure  even  the  necessary  supplies  of  food  and 
drink.  In  about  three  weeks  the  young  brood  burst  from  theii 
confinement;  and  the  hen,  from  the  most  cowardly  and  voracious, 
becomes  (in  the  protection  of  her  young)  the  most  daring  an<l 
abstemious  of  all  birds.  If  she  cast  her  eyes  on  a  grain  of  corn,  a 
crumb  of  bread,  or  any  aliment,  though  ever  so  inconsiderable,  that 
is  capable  of  division,  she  will  not  touch  the  least  portion  of  it;, 
but  gives  her  numerous  train  immediate  notice  of  her  success, 
by  a  peculiar  call,  which  they  all  understand.  They  flock  in  an  in- 
fant round  her,  and  the  whole  treasure  is  appropriated  to  them. 
Though  by  nature  timid,  and  apt  to  fly  from  the  smallest  assailant 
yet  when  marching  at  the  head  of  her  brood  she  is  a  heroine,  she  i* 
IV 


260  THE    DOMESTIC   FOWL. 

fearless  of  danger,  and  will  fly  in  the  face  of  the  fiercest  animal  that 
offers  to  annoy  her. 

As  the  chickens  reared  by  the  hen  bear  no  proportion  to  the  num- 
ber of  eggs  she  produces,  many  artificial  schemes  of  rearing  them 
hare  been  attempted.  The  most  successful,  though  by  no  means  the 
most  humane,  is  said  to  be  where  a  capon  is  made  to  supply  the  place 
of  a  hen.  He  is  rendered  very  tame :  the  feathers  are  plucked  from 
his  breast,  and  the  bare  parts  are  rubbed  with  nettles.  The  chickens 
are  then  put  to  him ;  and,  by  their  running  under  his  breast  with 
their  soft  and  downy  bodies,  his  pain  is  so  much  allayed,  and  he  feels 
so  much  comfort  to  his  featherless  body,  that  he  soon  adopts  them, 
feeding  them  like  a  hen,  and  assiduously  performing. all  the  functions 
of  the  tenderest  parent. 

Chickens  have  long  been  hatched  in  Egypt  by  means  of  artificial 
heat.  This  is  now  chiefly  practised  by  the  inhabitants  of  a  village 
called  Berrne,  and  by  those  who  live  at  a  little  distance  from  it.  To- 
wards the  beginning  of  autumn,  these  persons  spread  themselves  over 
the  country  ;  and  each  of  them  is  ready  to  undertake  the  manage- 
ment of  an  oven.  The  ovens  are  of  different  sizes,  each  capable  of 
containing  from  forty  to  eighty  thousand  eggs ;  and  the  number  of 
ovens  in  different  parts  is  about  three  hundred  and  eighty -six.  They 
«re  usually  kept  in  exercise  for  about  six  months;  and,  as  each  brood 
occupies  twenty-one  days  in  hatching,  it  is  easy,  in  every  oven  to  pro 
duce  eight  different  broods  of  chickens  in  the  year. 

The  ovens  where  these  eggs  are  placed,  are  of  the  most  simple  con- 
struction ;  consisting  only  of  low  arched  apartments  of  clay.  Two 
rows  of  shelves  are  formed,  and  the  eggs  are  placed  on  these  in  such 
a  manner  as  not  to  touch  each  other.  They  are  slightly  moved  five 
or  six  times  every  twenty-four  hours.  All  possible  care  is  taken  to 
diffuse  the  heat  equally  throughout ;  and  there  is  but  one  aperture, 
just  large  enough  to  admit  a  man  stooping.  During  the  first  eight 
days  the  heat  is  rendered  great ;  but  during  the  last  eight  it  is  gradu- 
ally diminished,  till  at  length,  when  the  young  brood  are  ready  to 
come  forth,  it  is  reduced  almost  to  the  state  of  the  natural  atmosphere. 
By  the  end  of  the  first  eight  days  it  is  known  which  of  the  eggs  will 
be  productive.  Every  person  who  undertakes  the  care  of  an  oven, 
is  under  the  obligation  only  of  delivering  to  his  employer  two-thirds 
of  as  many  chickens  as  there  have  been  eggs  given  to  him  ;  and  he 
is  a  considerable  gainer  by  this  bargain,  as  it  almost  always  happens 
that  many  more  than  that  proportion  of  the  eggs  produce  chickens. 

Thia  useful  and  advantageous  mode  of  hatching  eggs,  was  intro 
duced  into  France  by  M.  de  Reaumur ;  who,  by  a  number  of  experi 
ments,  reduced  the  art  to  certain  principles.  He  found  that  the  de- 
gree of  heat  necessary  for  producing  all  kinds  of  domestic  fowls  was 
the  same,  the  only  difference  consisting  in  the  time  during  which  it 
ought  to  be  communicated  to  the  eggs :  it  will  bring  the  Canary-bird 
to  perfection  in  eleven  or  twelve  days,  while  the  turkey-poult  requires 
twenty  or  twenty-eight.  M.  de  Reaumur  found  that  stoves  heated 
by  pipes  from  a  baker's  or  the  furnaces  of  glasshouses,  succeeded 
better  than  those  made  hot  by  layers  of  dung,  the  mode  preferred  in 


THE   DOMESTIC   FOWL. 


261 


Egypt.  These  should  have  their  heat  kept  as  nearly  equal  as  possible 
and  the  eggs  should  be  frequently  removed  from  the  sides  into  thj 
middle,  in  order  that  each  may  receive  an  equal  portion.  After  the 
eggs  are  hatched,  the  offspring  should  be  put  into  a  kind  of  low  boxes 
without  bottoms,  and  lined  with  fur ;  the  warmth  of  which  supplies 
the  place  of  a  hen,  and  in  which  the  chickens  can  at  any  time  take 
shelter.  These  should  be  kept  in  a  warm  room  till  the  chickens 
acquire  some  strength ;  the  chickens  then  may,  with  safety,  be  ex- 
posed to  the  open  air,  in  a  court-yard. 

As  to  the  mode  in  which  the  young  brood  are  fed:  a  whole  day 
generally  elapses  after  they  are  hatched,  before  they  take  any  food  at 
all ;  a  few  crumbs  of  bread  are  given  for  the  subsequent  day  or  two, 
after  which  time  they  begin  to  pick  up  insects  and  grain  for  them- 
selves. But  in  order  to  save  the  trouble  of  attending  them,  capons 
may  be  taught  to  watch  them  in  the  same  manner  as  hens.  M.  do 
Reaumur  says,  that  he  has  seen  more  than  two  thousand  chickens  »j 
once,  all  lea  about  and  defended  by  only  three  or  four  capons.  It  ui 
asserted,  that  even  cocks  may  be  taught  to  perform  this  office. 

The  progress  of  the  incubation  of  the  chicken  in  the  natural  wa] ', 
is  a  subject  too  curious,  and 
too  interesting,  to  be  passed 
over  without  notice.  The  hen 
has  scarcely  sat  on  the  egg 
twelve  hours,  before  some 
lineaments  of  the  head  and 
body  of  the  chicken  appear. 
The  heart  may  be  seen  to 
beat  at  the  end  of  the  second 
day;  it  has  at  that  time  some- 
what the  form  of  a  Horse- 
shoe, but  no  blood  yet  ap- 
pears. At  the  end  of  two 
days,  two  vesicles  of  blood 
are  to  be  distinguished,  the 
pulsation  of  which  is  very 
visible:  one  of  these  is  the 
left  ventricle,  and  the  other 

the  root  of  the  great  artery.  COCBU 

At  the  fiftieth  hour,  one  auri- 
cle of  the  heart  appears,  resembling  a  noose  folded  down  upon 
itself.  The  beating  of  the  heart  is  first  observed  in  the  auricle,  and 
afterwards  in  the  ventricle.  At  the  end  of  seventy  hours,  the  wings 
are  distinguishable;  and  on  the  head  two  bubbles  are  seen  for  the 
brain,  one  for  the  bill,  and  two  others  for  the  fore  and  hind  part  of  tlu 
head.  Towards  the  end  of  the  fourth  day,  the  two  auricles,  already 
visible,  draw  nearer  to  the  heart  than  before.  The  liver  appears 
towards  the  fifth  day.  At  the  end  of  a  hundred  and  thirty-one  hours, 
the  first  voluntary  motion  is  observed.  At  the  end  of  seven  hours 
more,  the  lungs  and  stomach  become  visible;  and  four  hours  aftei 
this,  the  intestines,  the  loins,  and  the  upper  jaw  At  the  hundred 


262  THE  DOMESTIC  FOWI* 

and  forty-fourth  hour,  two  ventricles  are  visible,  and  two  drops  of 
blood  instead  of  the  single  one  which  was  seen  before.  On  the  sev 
enth  day,  the  brain  begins  to  have  some  consistence.  At  the  hundred 
and  nintieth  hour  of  incubation,  the  bill  opens,  and  the  flesh  appears 
in  the  breast;  in  four  hours  more,  the  breast-bone  is  seen;  and  in  six 
hours  after  this,  the  ribs  appear  to  be  forming  from  the  back,  and  the 
bill  is  very  visible,  as  well  as  the  gall-bladder.  The  bill  becomes 
fp-een  at  the  end  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-six  hours;  and  if  the 
chicken  be  taken  out  of  its  coverings,  it  evidently  moves  itself.  The 
fathers  begin  to  shoot  out  towards  the  two  hundred  and  fort  e  h 
hour,  and  the  skull  becomes  grislty.  At  the  two  hundred  and  sixty- 
fourth  hour,  the  eyes  appear.  At  the  two  hundred  and  eighty-eighth, 
the  ribs  are  perfect.  At  the  three  hundred  and  thirty-first,  the  spleen 
draws  near  the  stomach,  and  the  lungs  to  the  chest.  At  the  end  of 
three  hundred  and  fifty-five  hours,  the  bill  frequently  opens  and  shuts; 
and  at  the  end  of  the  eighteenth  day,  the  first  cry  of  the  chicken  i.s 
heard.  It  afterwards  gets  more  strength,  and  grows  continually,  till 
at  length  it  is  enabled  to  set  itself  free  from  its  confinement. 

In  the  whole  of  this  process,  we  must  remark  that  every  part  ap 
pears  exactly  at  its  proper  time:  if,  for  example,  the  liver  is  formed  on 
the  fifth  day,  it  is  founded  on  the  preceding  situation  of  the  chicken, 
and  on  the  changes  that  were  to  follow.  No  part  of  the  body  could 
possibly  appear  either  sooner  or  later,  without  the  whole  embryo 
suffering;  and  each  of  the  limbs  becomes  visible  at  the  fit  moment 
This  ordination,  so  wise  and  so  invariable,  is  manifestly  the  work  of 
a  Supreme  Being:  but  we  must  still  more  sensibly  acknowledge  hi? 
creative  powers  when,  we  consider  the  manner  in  which  the  chicken 
is  formed  out  of  the  Darts  which  compose  the  egg.  How  astonishing 
must  it  appear  to  an  observing  mind,  that  in  this  substance  there 
should  be,  at  all,  the  vital  principle  of  an  animated  being!  That  all 
the  parts  of  an  animal's  body  should  be  concealed  in  it,  and  require 
nothing  but  heat  to  unfold  and  quicken  them !  That  the  whole  for- 
mation of  the  chicken  should  be  so  constant  and  regular  I  That, 
exactly  at  the  same  time,  the  same  changes  should  take  place  in  the 
generality  of  eggs!  That  the  chicken,  the  moment  it  is  hatched, 
should  be  heavier  than  the  egg  was  before!  But  even  these  are  not 
all  the  wonders  in  the  formation  of  a  bird  from  the  egg:  (for  this 
instance  will  serve  to  illustrate  the  whole  of  the  feathered  tribes : ) 
there  are  others,  altogether  hidden  from  our  observation ;  and  of 
which  from  our  very  limited  faculties,  we  must  ever  remain  ignorant. 

I  cannot  take  leave  of  this  animal,  without  a  few  observations  ou 
the  savage  diversion  of  cock-fighting;  which  (to  the  disgrace  of  a 
Christian  nation)  is  encouraged,  not  merely  by  the  lowest  and  mean- 
est, but  by  some  persons  even  in  the  highest  ranks  of  society.  The 
Sh rove-Tuesday  massacre  of  throwing  at  these  unfortunate  animals  is, 
indeed,  almost  discontinued:  but  the  cock-pit  yet  remains  a  reproach  to 
the  character  of  Englishmen.  The  refinements  which  in  England 
have  taken  place  in  the  pitting  of  these  courageous  birds  against  each 
other  would  strike  almost  the  rudest  of  the  savage  tribes  of  mankind 
with  horror.  The  Battle-royal  and  the  Welsh- main  would  scarcel" 


THE   DOMESTIC   FOWLS.  263 

be  tolerated  by  any  other  nation  of  the  world.  In  the  former  an 
unlimited  number  of  cocks  are  pitted,  of  which  only  the  last  sur- 
viving bird  is  accounted  the  victor.  Thus,  suppose  there  was  at  first 
sixteen  pair  of  cocks:  of  these,  sixteen  are  killed;  the  remaining  six- 
teen are  pitted  a  second  time ;  the  eight  conquerors  of  these  are  pitted 
a  third  time ;  the  four  conquerors  a  fourth  time ;  and  lastly,  the  two 
conquerors  of  these  the  fifth  time:  so  that  (incredible  barbarity!) 
thirty-one  cocks  must  be  inhumanly  murdered  in  a  single  battle. 

"  Are  these  yonr  sovereign  joys,  Creation's  lords  ? 
Is  death  a  banquet  for  a  godlike  soul  ?" 

The  greatert  rivals  of  the  English  in  the  practice  of  cock-fighting, 
are  the  inhabitants  of  Sumatra  and  some  other  parts  of  the  East 
They  indeed  pay,  perhaps  a  greater  attention  to  the  training  and 
feeding  of  the  birds.  They  arm  one  of  the  legs  only,  not  with  a 
slender  gaff',  but  with  a  little  implement  in  the  form  of  a  scimeter, 
with  which  the  animals  make  the  most  terrible  destruction.  The 
Surnatrians  fight  their  cocks  for  vast  sums:  a  man  has  been  known 
to  stake  his  wife  or  children,  and  a  son  his  mother  or  sisters,  on  the 
issue  of  a  battle.  In  disputed  points,  four  arbitrators  are  appointed; 
and  if  they  cannot  agree,  there  is  no  appeal  but  to  the  sword.  Some 
of  these  people  have  a  notion  that  their  cocks  are  invulnerable:  a 
father  on  his  death-bed  has,  under  this  persuasion,  been  known  to 
direct  his  son  to  lay  his  whole  property  on  a  certain  bird,  fully  per- 
suaded of  consequent  success. 


THE    DOMESTIC   FOWLS* 

The  domestic  fowls  are  too  well  known  to  need  much  description 
There  are  many  varieties,  the 
most  conspicuous  of  which  are 
the  Cochin  China,  Crested, 
Bantam,  and  Bankiva.  The 
Game  Fowl  was  formerly  in 
great  request  for  the  cruel 
sport  of  cock-fighting,  an 
amusement  which,  although 
happily  now  almost  extinct, 
was  in  great  vogue  but  a  few 
years  since.  The  Java  Fowl, 
of  which  the  enormous  Cochin- 
China  bird  is  a  variety,  is  sup- 
posed to  be  the  origin  of  the 
barn-door  fowl.  The  cock 
has  been  long  celebrated  for  his 
warlike  propensities,  and  his 
habit  of  greeting  the  approach 
of  morn  by  his  "  shrill  clarion  " 


264 


THE  COCHIN-CHINA  FOWL. — DORKING  FOWL. 


THE   COCHIN-CHINA  FOWL. 

A  young  hen  of  the  Cochin-China  breed,  when  introduced  among 
the  other  poultry  of  a  farm-yard, 
was  shamefully  persecuted  by 
its  companions.  It  was  very 
absurd  to  see  the  poor  creature 
pecking  up  a  stray  crumb  or 
two  outside  the  general  circle, 
and  flying  in  terror  before  a 
little  game  hen,  if  it  ventured 
to  approach  too  close.  The 
prinoipal  advantage  of  this  bird 
seems  to  be  that  the  chickens, 
from  their  superior  size,  are 
ready  for  the  market  at  an 
earlier  age  than  those  of  the 
ordinary  fowl. 

Among  other  distinctive 
characteristics,  these  fowls  pos- 
aess  one  which  is  too  striking 
not  to  be  mentioned.  The  wing 
is  jointed,  so  that  the  posterior 
half  can  at  pleasure  be  doubled 
up,  and  brought  forward  between  the  anterior  half  and  the  bodj 
The  birds  can  do  this  at  pleasure ;  and  the  appearance  the  manoauvn 
imparts  to  their  form,  has  procured  for  them  the  title  of  "Ostrich  fowl.11 


COCHIN-CHINA  FOWL. 


THE   DOKKING   FOWL. 

This  bird  is  highly  esteemed  where  ever  it  has  been  bred  in  its 
purity.  Many  spurious  ones  have  been  passed  off  on  the  uninformed, 
and  therefore  the  general  reputation  of  the  breed  is  not  as  good  as  it 
should  be.  It  is  not  a  heavy  fowl,  at  best ;  but  is  an  excellent  layer, 
the  best  of  mothers  and  its  meat  is  delicate  and  inviting.  The  aver- 
age weight  of  the  Dorking  is  about  six  and  a  half  to  seven  pounds  for 
cocks,  and  five  to  six  pounds  for  hens.  The  bird  owes  its  name  to 
its  having  been  bred  in  a  town  in  Surrey,  England,  of  the  same 
appellation.  Its  most  striking  peculiarity  is  the  having  of  five  toes, 
or  two  hind  toes  instead  of  one.  The  color  of  the  Dorking  is  generally 
pure  white,  spotted  or  spangled  with  black.  These  colors  sometimes 
merge  into  a  gray  or  grizzle. 

This  has  been  called  the  Capon  Fowl  of  England ;  and  it  forms  the 
chief  supply  of  the  London  market.  Its  flesh  is  extremely  delicate, 
especially  after  caponization.  Writers  on  poultry  breeding  differ 
much  in  the  description  of  the  true  fowl.  But  the  following  are  the 
prominent  points  without  which  the  breed  is  impure: — 4<A  fine  head, 


THE    BANTAM    FOWL. 


265 


with  brilliant,  reddish  tinged  eyes,  by  some  termed  ferret-eyed;  singlt 
or  double-comb,  in 
both  sexes;  a 
graceful  neck, 
rather  short  than 
long ;  wide,  deep, 
projecting  breast; 
the  body  is  not 
cnly  long,  but 
round,  rather  than 
flat  or  square;  and 
the  legs,  consider- 
ing their  size,  short, 
and  invariably  of  a 
silver  white."  The 
Dorking  is  very 
hardy,  audits 
young  are  easily 
reared;  both  of 
which  are  very 
important  recom- 
mendations f  o  r 
fowls  in  the  North- 
ern and  Eastern 
States.  When 
crossed  with  other 
birds  they  invari- 
ably improve  the 
form,  an-d  the  quality  -of  the  meat. 

These  birds  have  been,  long  prized,  and  it  is  now  many  years  since 
their  superiority  over  our  ordinary  domestic  varieties,  was  discovered 
and  appreciated.  They  were  first  noticed,  and  the  variety  adopted  by 
the  Cumberland  breeders,  whence  they  were  carried  into  Lancashire 
«ad  Westmoreland,  and  gradually  spread  over  all  England.  They 
are  also  found  in  many  parts  of  Ireland.  Whether,  however,  it  is  the 
result  of  injudicious  treatment,  imperfect  feeding,  or  change  of  cli- 
mate, when  met  with  for  from  the  region  where  they  originated,  tbey 
appear  to  have  lost  much  of  their  superiority. 


THE   BANTAM   FOWL. 

This  beautiful  little  domestic  bird  came  originally  from  the  pro 
vince  of  Bantam,  in  Java.  In  this  country,  we  have  every  kind  of 
color  and  comparative  size  of  "  Bantam,"  but  in  their  purity,  the  "Sir 
John  Seabright/'  "the  Java,17  or  the  "African"  varieties,  are  rare 
birds.  "  This  bird,"  says  Richardson,  "  has  its  legs  perfectly  naked  to 
the  toes,  and  approaches  in  form  more  nearly  to  the  game  breed.  The 
high  bred  cock  of  this  breed  should  have  a  rose  comb,  full  hackles 
a  well-feathered  and  well-carried  tail,  a  stately  and  courageous 


266 


THE   POLISH   FOWL. 


demeanor,  and  should  not  be  quite  a  pound  weight.  The  favorite  color 
U  a  golden  yellow,  the  leathers  edged  with  black,  the  wings  barred  with 
purple,  tail-feathers  and  breast  black.  The  Bantam  will  fight  with 
great  resolution."  Occasionally,  a  variety  is  met  with  that  is  smooth- 
legged.  They  are  very  domestic,  often  making  their  nests  in  the  kitchen 
and  the  cupboards  of  the  dwelling,  when  permitted.  They  are  excellent 
layers  and  good  nurses. 

The  hackles,  or  long  neck-feathers  of  this  and  the  preceding  bird,  are 
much  used  by  anglers  for  making  artificial  flies.  Some  remarkable 
specimens  have  been  described  by  travellers  as  the  Frizzled  and  the 
Silky  fowls  of  Asiatic  origin,  of  which  we  give  an  illustration. 


8ILKY   FOWLS. 


THE  POLISH    FOWL.. 

This  beautiful  bird  has,  become  pretty  g-enerally  known  in  the 
American  farm-yard.  It  is, however, a  small  fowl,  in  comparison  with 
many  other.  "Of  the  Polish  fowls,"  says  Richardson,  "there  are 
three  sub-varieties,  one  of  which  would  appear  to  be  nearly,  if  not 
altogether  extinct  in  its  native  country.  This  fowl  is,  perhaps,  the 
most  unchanged  from  the  primitive  stock  of  any  we  are  now  acquainted 


THE   SHANGHAI   FOWL.  267 

with,  being,  beyond  doubfc,  the  immediate  and  almost  unmixed  descend- 
ant of  the  wild  cock  of  St.  Jago."  The  three  varieties  are — The 
Spangled  Polish — a  bird  of  extraordinary  beauty,  and  difficult  to  be 
procured.  In  color,  it  presents  a  splendid  combination  of  a  bright 
orange,  a  clear  white,  a  brilliant  green,  and  a  jetty  black,  softened  down 
with  a  rich  and  pure  brown :  every  feather  is  tipped  with  white  so  as 
to  produce  the  effect  whence  has  been  derived  the  term  spangled.  The 
flesh  of  these  birds  is  of  good  quality,  and  they  are  very  prolific.  The 
fowl  known  as  the  Golden  Pheasant  is  a  cross  of  this  variety  arid  the 
Black  Polish  fowl. 

The  second  variety  of  the  Polish  fowl  is  the  well-known  Black  fowl, 
with  a  white  tuft  on  the  crown.  Their  appearance  is  handsome,  and 
being  very  good  layers,  they  are  highly  esteemed.  The  third  variety 
entirely  white,  without  a  feather  of  any  other  color.  They  are  very 
beautiful,  but  not  quite  so  hardy  as  the  Black. 


THE   SHANGHJS   FOWL. 

The  Shanghse  fowl  has  become  generally  known  in  the  Northern 
States,  and  especially  in  New  England.  It  was  brought  from  Shanghse, 
China,  in  1848,  by  Captain  Forbes,  and  since  that  time  other  impor- 
tations of  the  species  have  been  effected.  There  are  two  varieties, 
which  may  be  distinguished  as  the  yellow,  including  the  brown  buff 
and  the  fawn  colored,)  and  the  white.  The  yellow,  in  general  shape 
and  appearance,  resembles  the  Coch  in-China  fowls,  though  they 
have  greater  depth  of  quarters  and  loss  depth  of  breast,  and  are  of  a 
lighter  color.  Their  general  plumage  is  of  a  bright  yellow,  or  gold 
color,  variegated  with  dark  brown  and  red.  They  are  quiet  tempered, 
their  gait  is  proud  and  showy,  but  the  legs  are  rather  too  long  for 
beauty.  For  laying  properties,  early  maturity,  and  table  use,  there  is 
no  better  species  in  America.  The  principal  characteristics  of  the 
Yellow  Shanghae,  by  which  they  may  be  distinguished  from  tie 
Cochin  China  fowl  is,  that  the  legs  are  covered  with  feathers.  The 
White  Shanghae,  partakes  of  all  the  characteristics  of  the  Yellow, 
vnth  the  exception  of  color.  Its  legs  are  yellow,  and  very  heavily 
feathered.  Their  general  appearance  is  cleanly  and  beautiful,  aud 
in  laying,  or  for  food,  they  are  quite  equnl  to  the  Yellow  species. 

The  patience  and  perseverance  of  the  hen  while  hatching  arc  truly 
extraordinary:  she  covers  her  eggs  with  her  wings,  fostering  them  with 
a  genial  warmth,  often  turning  them,  and  changing  their  situation,  that 
all  their  parts  may  receive  an  equal  degree  of  warmth.  So  intent  is  .she 
on  her  task,  as  to  neglect,  in  some  degree,  even  the  ordinary  supplies 
of  food  and  drink.  In  about  three  weeks  the  young  brood  burst  from 
their  confinement,  when  from  being  one  of  the  most  cowardly  and 
voracious,  she  becomes  one  of  the  most  daring  and  abstemious  of  all 
animals.  If  she  casts  her  eye  on  a  grain  of  corn,  or  even  a  crumb  of 
bread,  she  will  not  touch  it,  but  gives  her  numerous  train  immediate 
notice  of  her  success  by  a  peculiar  call,  which  they  all  understand. 
They  flock  around  her,  and  the  precious  morsel  is  divided  among  them. 


268 


THE   SPANISH   FOWLS. — BANKIYA  FOWL. 


THE  SPANISH  FOWLS. 

The  Black  Spanish  fowls  are  favorites  among  the  poulterers.   They 

are  large,  showy,  and  possess  tha 
blackest  of  plumage.  They  havr 
an  unusually  large  comb  and  wat 
ties,  and  a  white  cheek.  As  table 
birds,  their  flesh  is  particularly 
white,  tender  and  juicy  The 
hens  are  layers  of  the  first  order 
being  extremely  prolific,  easy 
fed,  and  easy  to  control,  when 
required  to  sit.  "I  regard  these 
birds,"  says  Kichardson,  "as  the 
result  of  the  highest  artifici<i 
culture,"  and  in  support  of  his 
opinion,  he  adduces  their  un- 
usually  large  comb  and  wattles, 
characteristics  not'  found  in  the 
primitive  varieties.  The  eggs  are 
of  large  size,  fine-flavored,  and 


unlike   most   of    the   eggs   from 
SPANISH  FOWLS.  dark  colored  poultry,  the  shells 

are  white  as  alabaster. 


THE   BANKIVA   FOWL. 

This  fowl  is  supposed  to  be  the  original  stock,  of  our  domestic 
varieties.  Dickson  thus  describes  it: — "The  cook  lias  a  thin,  ii; 
dented,  or  scolloped  comb,  and  wattles  under  the  mouth :  the  tail  a 
little  e/evated  above  the  rump,  and  the  feathers  somewhat  disposer 
in  the  form  of  tiles.  The  feathers  of  the  neck  are  long,  falling  down 
and  rounded  at  the  tips,  and  are  of  the  finest  gold  color.  The  head 
ind  neck  are  fawn-colored;  the  wing  coverts  are  dusky,  brownisb 
und  black;  the  tail  and  belly  are  black;  the  hen  is  of  a  dusky,  ash^ 
gray  and  yellowish  color,  and  haa  her  comb  and  beard  much  smaller 
than  the  cock,  with  no  feathers  on  ti;e  neck,  besides  the  long  hackles.' 

The  Bankiva  cock  is  nearly  twice  as  large  as  the  common  Bantam 
The  hen  is  scarcely  as  large  as  S  mnorat's  Jungle  fowl.  The  breed 
la  native  to  the  East  Indies,  where  it  is  much  valued  by  the  lover? 
ot  cock-fighting.  The  Bankiva  is  very  bold  and  spirited,  though 
inferior  to  Sonnerat's  fowl  in  these  qualities  as  in  others  more  valu 
able.  It  was  for  some  time  a  question,  whether  this  fowl  was  not 
derived  from  the  same  stock  as  the  larger  Jungle  fowl ;  but  the 
question  has  been  determined  in  favor  of  its  being  a  distinct  variety. 

The  Jungle  fowls  have  a  powerful  body,  short  wings,  and  a  moderate- 
sized  graduated  tail,  consisting  of  fourteen  feathers,  placed  vertically 
one  above  another.  The  beak  is  long,  of  medium  length,  the  high  loot  is 
armed  with  a  spur ;  a  fleshy  comb  rises  at  the  top  of  the  head,  and 
from  the  lower  part  of  the  beak  depend  soft  fleshy  wattles ;  the  region  of 
the  cheek  is  bare.  The  thick  variegated  plumage  is  so  prolonged  on 


THE   FIRE-BACKED   JUNGLE   FOWL. 


269 


the  upper  tail-corner  as  to  conceal  the  real  tail,  over  which  the  flowing 
leathers  fall  in  graceful  sickle-shaped  curves.  AH  the  members  of  the 
group  lead  a  retired  life  within  the  recesses  of  woods  and  forests,  and 
for  this  reason  we  are  but  little  acquainted  with  any  minute  details 
concerning  the  habits  of  many  species 


THE   FIRE-BACKED  JUNGLE   FOWL. 

This  noble  species  is  larger  than  the  domestic  game  breed,  and 
stands  high  on  the 
legs.  The  spurs  are 
sharp.  The  head  is 
adorned  wiih  a  crest 
of  naked  shafted 
feathers,  and  the  bill 
is  partly  covered  with 
a  purplish  skin.  The 
general  plumage  is 
black  shot  with 
({learning  steel-blue. 
The  lower  part  of 
the  back  is  rich 
flame  color. 

The  female  is  a 
rich  cinnamon 
brown,  mottled  with 
black;  throat  white, 
head  erected,  tail 
folded.  This  species 
came  originally  from 
Sumatra,  and  is 
bighly  esteemed  by 
fanciers. 

This  species  was 
tirst  introduced  to 
science  by  Sir  George 
Staunton,  in  his  nar- 
rative of  an  "Em- 
bassy to  China."  II is  host  at  Batavia,  among  other  interesting  speci- 
mens of  natural  history,  possessed  one  of  these  birds,  which  was  sent 
to  England.  The  bending  feathers  of  the  tail  are  shorter  and  much 
broader  than  those  of  the  Bankiva,  Sonnerat,  or  Domestic  cock. 
The  Fire-backed  fowl  is  intermediate  between  the  largest  Jungle 
fowl,  and  the  domestic  game  breed.  It  possesses  the  quick  spirit  of 
all  the  best  game-breeds,  and  is  much  prized  among  the  lovers  of 
cock-fighting.  Numerous  specimens  are  to  be  seen  in  various  parts 
of  New  England;  and  at  the  poultry  exhibitions,  its  elegant  form  and 
spirited  bearing,  together  with  its  beautiful  hues,  make  it  an  attrac- 
tive and  favorite  bird.  The  hen  is  considered  a  very  good  layer 
nurse  and  sitter,  and  the  eggs  are  a  good  size. 


FIRK-BVCKKD   JUNGLE    FOWL. 


270 


SONNERAT'S  JUNGLE  FOWL. 


SONXERAT'S  JUNGLE  FOWL. 

This  splendid  bird  is  celebrated  for  its  courage,  and  is  in  grea* 

request  among  the  cock- 
fighters  of  Ilindostan. 
Its  port  is  erect  and 
stately,  and  its  form  la 
admirable.  In  size  it  is 
equal  to  the  domestic 
fowl ;  but  it  is  lighter 
and  more  graceful.  The 
comb  is  slightly  indent- 
ed, the  wattles  are  large 
and  double;  the  mark- 
ings as  represented  in 
the  figure.  The  female 
is  a  third  less  in  size  than 
the  male. 

As  this  species  of 
Jungi'e  fowl  is  one  of  the 
most  sought  for  among 
the  cock  fighters  o  f 
India,  a  short  account  of 
the  manner  in  which  that 
sport  is  pursued  in  Ilin- 
dostan and  the  island  of 
Polynesia,  may  not  be 
uninteresting,  or  out  of 
place.  It  is  from  Ellis '  Polynesian  Researches. 

"  Cocks  of  the  same  color  are  never  matched,  but  a  gray  against  a 
pile,  a  yellow  against  a  red,  or  the  like.  This  might  have  been  origi- 
nally designed  to  prevent  disputes,  or  knavish  impositions.  The  Malay 
breed  of  cocks  is  much  esteemed  by  connoisseurs  who  have  had  an 
opportunity  of  trying  them.  Great  pains  is  taken  in  the  rearing  and 
feeding ;  they  are  frequently  handled,  and  accustomed  to  spar  in 
nublic,  in  order  to  prevent  any  shyness.  Contrary  to  our  laws,  tho 
owner  is  allowed  to  take  up  and  handle  his  cock  during  the  battle; 
to  clear  his  eye  of  a  feather,  or  his  mouth  of  blood.  When  a  cock  is 
tilled,  or  runs,  the  other  must  have  sufficient  spirit  and  vigor  left  to 
j[*eck  at  him  three  times,  on  his  being  held  to  him  for  that  purpose,  or 
it  becomes  a  drawn  battle;  and  sometimes  an  experienced  cocker  will 
place  the  head  of  his  vanquished  bird  in  such  an  uncouth  posture,  as 
to  terrify  the  other,  and  render  him  unable  to  give  this  proof  of  vic- 
tory. The  cocks  are  never  trimmed,  but  matched  in  full  feather 
The  artificial  spur  used  in  Sumatra,  resembles  in  shape  the  blade  of  a 
ecimetar,  and  proves  a  more  destructive  weapon  than  the  Europear 
epur.  It  has  no  socket,  but  is  tied  to  the  leg,  and  in  the  position  of 
it  the  nicety  of  the  match  is  regulated  As,  in  horse-racing,  weight  * 


SONNERAT  S  JUNGLE    FOWL. 


THE   COMMON   GUINEA-FOWL.  271 

proportior 3d  to  inches,  so,  in  cocking,  a  bird  of  superior  size  and 
weight  is  brought  to  an  equality  with  his  adversary,  by  fixing  the 
Bteei  spur  so  many  scales  of  the  leg  above  the  natural  spur,  and  thua 
obliging  him  to  fight  with  a  degree  of  disadvantage.  It  rarely  hap- 
pens that  both  cocks  survive  the  combat. 

Some  attempts  have  lately  been  made  by  writers  on  poultry,  to 
defend  the  sport  of  cock-fighting,  on  the  ground,  that  the  disposition 
of  the  fowl  is  to  fight,  and  that  in  training  them  for  that  purpose, 
men  only  make  amusement  of  that  which  is  necessary.  But  this  is 
merely  an  ingenious  argument.  All  such  contests  have  a  brutalizing 
influence  on  men. 


OF  THE  PINTADO  TKIBE. 

THE  bill  is  strong  and  short,  and  the  base  is  covered  with  a  warty 
or  carunculated  cere,  which  receives  the  nostrils:  on  the  head  there  is 
a  horny  or  callous  protuberance.  The  tail-feathers  are  shorthand 
bend  downward.  The  feathers  of  the  body  are  speckled. 

The  four  species  of  pintado  hitherto  known  are  all  natives  of 
Africa,  and  of  islands  adjacent  to  the  African  coast.  Their  mode 
of  feeding  is  similar  to  that  of  the  domestic  poultry;  they  scrape  the 
ground  with  their  feet,  in  search  of  insects,  worms,  and  seeds. 


THE    COMMON    GUINEA-FOWL. 

In  a  wild  state  it  is  asserted  that  these  birds  associate  in  numerous 
flocks.  Dampier  speaks  of  having  seen  between  two  and  three 
hundred  of  them  together,  in  the  Cape  de 
Verd  Islands.  They  were  originally  intro- 
duced into  England  from  the  coast  of  Africa, 
somewhat  earlier  than  the  year  1260. 

They  are  now  sufficiently  common  in  the 
poultry-yards  of  this  country ;  but  from  the 

ag-ones  being  difficult  to  rear,  they  are  not 
in  numbers  at  all  equal  to  those  of  the 
domestic  poultry.  The  females  lay  and  hatch 
their  eggs  nearly  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
common  hens.  The  eggs,  however,  are  smaller  than  those  of  the  hen, 
and  have  a  harder  shell.  M.  de  Buffon  states  that  there  is  a  remarka- 
ble difference  between  the  eggs  of  the  domestic  Guinea-Fowls,  and 
of  those  which  are  wild ;  the  latter  being  marked  with  small,  round 
spots,  like  those  on  the  plumage  of  the  birds ;  and  the  former  being, 
when  first  laid,  of  a  tolerably  bright  red,  and  afterwards  of  the  faint 
color  of  a  dried  rose.  The  young  birds,  for  some  time  after  they  come 
Into  the  world,  are  destitute  of  the  helmet,  or  callous  protuberance 
which  is  so  conspicuous  on  the  heads  of  the  old  ones. 

The  voice  of  the  Guinea-Fowl  is  harsh,  and,  to  some  persons, un- 
pleasant.    It   consists  chiefly  of  two  notes,  ca-mac,  ca-?nac, 


GUINEA-FOWL. 


272 


THE   COMMON    GUINEA   FOWL. 


frequently  repeated.  The  Guinea-Fowl  is  a  restless  and  clamorous 
bird.  During  the  night  it  perches  on  high  places ;  and,  if  disturbed, 
alarms  every  animal  within  hearing,  by  its  unceasing  cry.  These  birds 
delight  in  rolling  themselves  in  the  dust,  for  the  purpose,  as  some 
naturalists  have  conjectured,  of  ridding  themselves  of  insects. 

If  trained  when  young,  Guinea-Fowls  may  soon  be  rendered  tama 
M.  Brue  informs  us,  that  when  he  was  on  the  coast  of  Senegal,  he  re- 
ceived as  a  present  from  an  African  princess,  two  Guinea-Fowls.  Both 
these  birds  were  so  familiar,  that  they  would  approach  the  table  and 
cat  out  of  his  plate ;  and  when  they  had  liberty  to  fly  about  upon  the 
beach,  they  always  returned  to  the  ship,  when  the  dinner  or  supper 
bell  rang. 

Jt  is  even  said  that  the  wild  birds  will  sometimes  receive  food  from 


SCTNEA-FOWL. 


Ae  hand,  almost  immediately  after  they  are  caught.  These  delight 
chiefly  in  marshy  and  morassy  places,  where  they  subsist  almost 
wholly  on  insects,  worms,  and  seeds.  Guinea-Fowls  are  found  in  nearly 
all  the  countries  of  the  western  part  of  Africa,  from  Barbary,  south- 
ward, to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  They  are  natives  likewise  of  the 
Islands  of  France  and  Bourbon,  of  Madagascar  and  Cape  de  Verd. 

Amongst  the  Romans  they  were  in  great  repute  for  the  table ;  and, 
on  account  of  their  scarcity,  were  generally  sold  for  high  prices.  They 
are  at  present  much  esteemed  in  this  country,  their  flavour  being  cou- 
skiored,  by  some  persons,  to  resemble  that  of  the  Pheasant  The  eggs 
ire  a  very  delicate  food. 


THE  GROUSE. 


THE   RUFFED   GROUSE.  273 


OF  THE  GROUSE  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  Grouse  have  strong,  convex  bills  ;  and  some  of  the  species  have 
a  naked  scarlet  skin  above  each  eye.  The  flesh  of  all  the  species  ia 
brown,  but  is  excellent  food. 

The  birds  of  this  tribe  which  are  known  in  Great  Britain,  are  the 
different  species  of  Grouse, 
Partridges,  and  Quails.  Of 
these,  the  Grouse  are  in- 
habitants chiefly  of  bleak 
and  mountainous  tracts  of 
country.  To  defend  them 
from  the  effects  of  cold, 
their  legs  are  feathered 
down  to  the  toes.  The 
nostrils  are  small,  and  are 
hidden  under  the  feathers. 
Their  legs  are  stout,  and 
the  tail  generally  long. 
Partridges  and  Quails  in 
habit  the  warmer  and  more  cultivated  parts  of  the  country.  Their 
tail  is  short,  and  their  nostrils  are  covered  with;  a  hard  prominent 


THE   RUFFED   GROUSE. 

The  size  of  this  bird  is  between  that  of  a  Pheasant  and  Partridge. 
The  bill  is  brownish.  The  head  is  crested;  and  as  well  as  all  the 
upper  parts,  is  variegated  with  different  tints  of  brown  mixed  with 
black.  The  feathers  on  the  neck  are  long  and  loose;  and  may  be 
urected  at  pleasure,  like  those  of  the  cock.  The  throat  and  the  fore 
Dart  of  the  neck  are  orange  brown;  and  the  rest  of  the  under  parts 
ire  yellowish  white,  having  a  few  curved  marks  on  the  brea>t  and 
sides.  The  tail  consists  of  eighteen  feathers,  all  of  which  are  crossed 
with  narrow  bars  of  black,  and  with  one  broad  band  of  the  same  near 
the  end.  The  legs  are  covered  to  the  toes  (which  are  flesh-colored, 
and  pectinated  on  the  sides)  with  whitish  hairs. 

This  beautiful  species  of  Grouse,  known  by  the  n?*no  of  Pheasant 
in  the  Middle  and  Western  States,  and  by  that  of  Partridge  in  New 
England,  is  found  to  inhabit  the  continent  from  Hudson's  Bay  and 
the  parallel  of  56°  to  Georgia,  but  are  most  abundant  in  the  North- 
ern and  Middle  States,  where  they  often  prefer  the  most  elevated 
and  wooded  districts ;  and  at  the  south  they  affect  the  mountainous 
ranges  of  valleys  which  border  upon,  or  lie  within  the  chains  of  the 
Alleghanies.  They  are  also  prevalent  in  the  Western  States  a3  far  as 
the  line  of  the  State  of  Mississippi,  and  though  not  found  on  the 
great  western  plains  they  appear  in  the  forests  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, and  follow  the  Columbia  nearly  to  the  Pacific. 


274 


THE    RUFFED   GROUSE. 


BVFFED   GROUSE. 


Although,  properly  speaking,  sedentary,  yet  at  the  approach  of 
autumn,  they  make  partial  migrations  by  single  families  in  quest  of  a 
supply  of  food.  In  the  northern  parts  of  New  England,  at  the  approach 
of  winter,  they  leave  the  hills  for  lower  and  more  sheltered  situations. 

He  is  a  fine  bird  when  his  gaiety  is  displayed ;  that  is,  when  lie 
spreads  his  tail  like  that  of  a  Turkey-cock,  and  erects  the  circle  of 
feathers  round  his  neck  like  a  ruif,  walking  with  a  stately  and  even 
pace,  and  making  a  noise  somewhat  like  that  of  a  Turkey.  This  is  the 
moment  which  the  sportsman  seizes  to  fire  at  him,  for,  if  the  bird 
observes  that  he  is  discovered,  he  immediately  flies  off  to  a  distance  of 
several  hundred  yards  before  lie  again  alights. 

There  is  something  very  remarkable  in  what  is  called  the  thumping 
of  these  birds.  This  they  do,  as  the  sportsmen  tell  us,  by  clapping 
their  wing.s  against  their  sides.  They  stand  upon  an  old  fallen  tree, 
and  in  this  station  they  begin  their  strokes  gradually,  at  about 
two  seconds  of  time  from  another,  and  repeat  them  quicker  and 
quicker,  until  they  make  a  noise  not  u-nlike  distant  thunder.  Thia 
continues,  from  the  beginning,  about  a  minute;  the  bird  ceases  for 
FIX  or  eight  minutes,  and  then  begins  again.  The  sound  ifi  often 
heard  at  the  distance  of  nearly  half  a  mile ;  and  sportsmen  take  ad- 
vantage of  this  note,  to  discover  the  birds,  and  shoot  them.  The 
Grouse  commonly  practise  their  thumping  during  the  spring  and  fall 
of  the  year,  at  about  nine  or  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  four  or 
five  in  the  afternoon 


THE   PINNATED   GROUSE. — BLACK   GROUSE. 


275 


These  birds  lay  their  eggs,  from  twelve  to  sixteen  in  number,  in 
nests  which  they  make  either  by  the  side  of  fallen  trees,  or  the  roots 
of  standing  ones.  Mr.  Brooke,  when  a  boy,  says  that  he  lias  found 
their  nests,  and  hns  endeavored  to  take  the  old  birds,  but  never  could 
succeed.  The  sitting  bird  would  let  him  put  his  hand  almost  upon 
her  before  she  would  quit  her  nest;  then  by  artifice  would  draw  him 
off  from  her  eggs,  by  fluttering  just  before  him  for  a  hundred  paces 
or  more,  so  that  he  has  been  in  constant  hopes  of  taking  her.  AVheu 
the  nestlings  are  hatched,  and  a  few  davs  old,  they  hide  them.- elves  so 
artfully  among  the  leaves,  that  it  is  difficult  to  find  them. 


THE    PRAIRIE    HEN. 


THE   PINNATED  GROUSE,   OK   PRAIRIE   HEN. 

This  species,  celebrated  for  the  exquisite  flavor  of  its  flesh,  is  strictly 
confined  to  the  western  prairies  of  our  country,  open  dry  plains  inter- 
spersed with  shrub-oak  being  its  favorite  haunts.  The  male  is  remark- 
able for  a  naked  sacculated  appendage  on  each  side  of  the  neck,  resem- 
bling a  large  orange.  In  severe  weather  the  Prairie  Hens  sometimes 
mix  with  the  domestic  poultry  in  pursuit  of  food. 


276 


THE  BLACK  GROUSE. 


THE  BLACK  GROUSE. 

The  weight  of  an  old  black  cock  is  nearly  four  pounds;  but  thai 
of  the  female  is  not  often  more  than  two.  The  plumage  of  the  whok 
body  of  the  male  is  black,  and  glossed  over  the  neck  and  rump  with 
a  shining  blue.  The  coverts  of  the  wings  are  of  a  dusky  brown :  the 
four  first  quill-feathers  are  black,  the  next  white  at  the  bottom.  The 
lower  half,  and  the  tips,  of  the  secondary  feathers,  are  white.  The 
inner  coverts  of  the  wings  are  white.  The  tail  is  much  forked:  the 

exterior  feathers  bend 
greatly  outward,  and 
their  ends  seem  as  if 
cut  off.  The  colors 
of  the  female  differ 
considerably  from 
those  of  the  male: 
the  tail  also  is  but 
slightly  forked. 

They  are  partial  to 
mountainous  and 
woody  situations,  far 
removed  from  the 
habitations  of  men. 

Their  food  is  vari- 
ous; but  principal. y 
consists  of  the  moun 
tain  fruits  and  ber- 
ries, and,  in  winter, 
of  the  tops  of  heath. 
It  is  somewhat  re- 
markable that  cher- 
ries and  peas  are  fatal 
to  these  birds.  They 
perch  and  roost  in 
the  same  manner  as 
the  Pheasant. 

The  Black  Grouse 
never  pair ;  but  in 
pipring  the  males  assemble  at  their  accustomed  resorts  on  the  tops  of 
heathy  mountains,  where  they  crow  and  clap  their  wings.  The 
females,  at  this  signal,  resort  to  them.  The  males  are  very  quarrel- 
some, and  fight  together  like  game-cocks.  On  these  occasions  they 
i.re  so  inattentive  to  their  own  safety,  that  two  or  three  have  some- 
times been  killed  at  one  shot :  and  instances  have  occurred  of  their 
having  been  knocked  down  with  a  stick. 

'The  female  forms  an  artless  nest  on  the  ground;  and  lays  six  or 
eight  eggs,  of  a  dull  yellowish  white  color,  marked  with  numerous  very 
small  ferruginous  specks,  and,  towards  the  smaller  end,  with  some 
blotches  of  the  same.  These  are  hatched  late  in  the  summer.  The 
young  males  quit  the  parents  in  the  beginning  of  winter,  and  keep 
together  in  flocks  of  seven  or  eight  till  the  spring. 


BLACK   GROUSE.— MALE. 


THE    BLACK    GROUSE. 


277 


In  Russia,  Norway,  and  other  extreme  northern  countries,  the 
Black  Grouse  are  said  to  retire  under  the  snow  during  winter.  The 
.shooting  of  them  in  Russia  is  thus  conducted: — Huts  full  of  loop- 
holes, like  little  forts,  are  built  for  the  purpose,  in  woods  frequented 
by  these  birds.  Upon  the  trees  within  shot  of  the  huts,  are  placed 
artificial  decoy-birds.  As  the  Grouse  assemble,  the  company  fire 
through  the  openings;  and  so  long  as  the  sportsmen  are  concealed, 
the  report  of  the  guns  does  not  frighten  the  birds  avvay.  bovu.al  of 
them  may  therefore 
be  killed  from  the 
same  tree,  when 
three  or  four  hap- 
pen to  be  perched 
on  branches  one 
above  another. 
The  sportsman  has 
only  to  shoot  the 
undermost  bird 
first,  and  the  others 
upward  in  succes- 
sion. The  upper- 
most bird  is  ear- 
nestly employed  in 
looking  down  after 
his  fallen  compan- 
ions, and  keeps 
chattering  to  them 
till  he  becomes 
himself  a  victim. 

During  winter 
the  inhabitants  of 
Siberia  take  these 
birds  in  the  follow- 
ing manner: — A 
number  of  poles  are 
laid  horizontally 
on  forked  sticks, 
in  the  open  birch 
forests.  Small  bundles  of  corn  are  tied  on  these,  by  way  of  allure- 
ment ;  and,  at  a  little  distance,  some  tall  baskets  of  conical  shape  are 
placed,  having  their  broad  parts  uppermost.  Within  the  mouth  of 
each  basket  is  placed  a  small  wheel ;  through  which  passes  an  axi? 
so  nicely  fixed,  as  to  admit  it  to  play  very  readily,  and,  on  the  least 
touch  either  on  one  side  or  the  other,  to  drop  down,  and  again  recover 
its  situation.  The  Black  Grouse  are  soon  attracted  by  the  corn  on 
the  horizontal  poles.  The  first  comers  alight  upon  them,  and  after 
H  short  repast  fly  to  the  baskets,  and  attempt  to  settle  on  their  tops , 
when  the  wheel  drops  sideways,  and  they  fall  headlong  into  the  trap. 
Tb^se  baskets  are  sometimes  found  half-full  of  birds  thus  caught. 


BLACK   OROU8E. FEMALE. 


THE  RED  GROUSE. — COCK  OF  THE  PLAINS. 


THE  RED  GROUSE,  OR  RED  GAME. 

The  weight  of  the  male  is  about  nine 
teen  anil  of  the  female  fifteen  ounces. 
The  bill  is  black ;  and  at  the  base  of  the 
lower  mandible  there  is  on  each  side  a 
white  spot.  l*ach  eye  is  arched  with  a 
large,  naked,  scarlet  spot.  The  throat 
is  red.  The  plumage  of  the  upper  parts 
of  the  body  is  mottled  with  dusky  red 
and  black.  The  breast  and  belly  are 
purplish,  crossed  with  small  dusky  lines* 


COCK  OP  THE   PLAINS. 

This  large  and  beautiful  species  of  Grouse,  little  inferior  to  the 
Turkey  in  size,  and  the  American  counterpart  of  the  Cock  of  the 
Woods,  was  first  seen  by  Lewis  and  Clarke  in  the  wild  recesses 
within  the  central  chains  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  from  whence  they 
extend  in  accumulating  numbers  to  the  plains  of  the  Columbia,  and 
we  common  throughout  the  Oregon  Territory,  as  well  as  the  neigh- 
boring province  of  California. 

The  flight  of  this  large  bird  is  slow,  unsteady,  and  attended  with  a 
whirring  Hound,  the  wings  being  kept  in  a  hurried  motion,  as  in  most 
other  Grouse.  It  also  runs  much  on  the  ground  in  the  manner  of  the 
Turkey,  and  is  not  very  partial  to  taking  wing.  Their  starting  cry, 
like  that  of  the  common  Pheasant,  is  a  sort  of  'kuk,  '&«&,  'kuk.  They 
begin  to  pair  in  March  and  April ;  and  at  this  time  repair  to  eminences 
<tm  the  banks  of  streams  where  they  are  seen  assembled  about  sun-rise. 
The  male  lowers  his  wings,  and  produces  a  humming  sound  as  he 
trails  his  outspread  pinions  on  the  ground;  the  tail,  at  the  same 
time,  is  spread  out  like  a  fan,  and  the  bare  space  on  the  breast  is  also 
accompanied  by  a  large  inflation.  lie  then  struts  proudly  in  the 
presence  of  his  intended  mate,  uttering  a  confused  and  disagreeable 
^hurr-hurr-r-r-r-kod1  ending  in  a  deep  and  hollow  tone,  like  the  sound 
produced  by  blowing  into  a  cane.  They  nest  on  the  ground  under 
the  shelter  of  low  bushes,  or  near  streams  among  the  wild  Canary  Grass 
of  this  region.  The  nest  is  made  of  dry  grass  and  slender  twigs. 
The  eggs,  from  thirteen  to  seventeen,  about  the  size  of  those  of  the 
domestic  fowl,  are  of  a  wood  brown  color,  with  irregular  chocolate 
blotches  at  the  thick  end.  The  period  of  incubation  extends  from 
twenty-one  totwenty-two  days ;  ana  as  in  other  birds  of  this  active  tribe 
the  young  run  about  and  quit  the  nest  in  few  hours  after  being  hatched. 
In  summer  and  autumn,  these  large  Grouse  are  seen  only  in  small 
numbers,  pairs  or  families,  but  in  winter  and  spring,  partially  migratorv, 
the/  are  then  seen  in  flocks  of  several  hundreds,  roaming  about  in 


THE    WHITE  GROUSE,  OR    PTARMIGAN.  279 

quest  of  food.  They  are  plentiful  throughout  the  barren  and  arid 
plains  of  the  Columbia,  as  well  as  in  the  interior  of  North  California, 
bat  are  nowhere  seen  to  the  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 


THE  WHITE  GROUSE,  OR  PTARMIGAN. 

The  Ptarmigan  is  somewhat  forger  than  a  Pigeon.  Its  bill  is  black ; 
and  its  plumage,  in  summer,  is  of  a  pale  brown  color,  elegantly  mottlen 
with  small  bars  and  dusky  spots.  The  head  and  neck  are  marked 
with  broad  bars  of  black,  rust-color,  and  white.  The  wings  and  belly 
are  white. 

These  birds  moult  in  the  winter  months,  changing  at  this  season 
their  summer  dress  for  one  more  warm ;  and,  instead  of  having  their 
feathers  of  many  colors,  they  then  become  white.  By  a  wonderful  pro- 
vision, every  feather  also,  except  those  of  the  wings  and  tail,  becomes 
double ;  a  downy  one  shooting  out  at  the  base  of  each,  which  gives 
an  additional  protection  against  the  cold. 

Their  feet,  by  being  feathered  entirely  to  the  toes,  are  well 
protected  from  the  cold.  Every  morning  the  birds  take  a  flight 
directly  upward  into  the  air,  apparently  to  shake  the  snow  from 
their  wings  ami  bodies.  They  feed  in  the  mornings  and  evenings, 
and  in  the  middle  of  the  day  they  bask  in  the  sun. 

About  the  beginning  of  October  the  Ptarmigans  assemble  in  flocks 
of  ft  hundred  and  fifty  or  two  hundred,  and  live  much  among  the 
willows,  the  tops  of  which  they  eat.  In  December  they  retire  from 
the  flats  about  Hudson's  Bay  to  the  mountains,  to  feed  on  the  moun- 
tain berries.  Some  of  the  Greenlanders  believe  that  Ptarmigans,  in 
order  to  provide  a  subsistence  through  the  winter,  collect  a  store  of 
mountain  berries  into  some  crevice  of  a  rock  near  their  retreat ;  and  it 
is  generally  supposed,  that,  by  means  of  their  long,  broad,  and  hollow 
nails,  they  form  lodges  under  the  snow,  where  they  lie  in  heaps  to 
protect  themselves  from  the  cold.  During  winter  they  are  often  seen 
flying  in  great  numbers  among  the  rocks. 

Though  sometimes  found  in  the  mountains  of  the  north  of  Scotland, 
the  Ptarmigans  are  chiefly  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  the  globe  which 
lies  about  the  Arctic  Circle.  Their  food  consists  of  the  buds  of  tree*, 
young  shoots  of  pine  and  heath,  and  of  fruits  and  berries  which  grow 
on  the  mountains.  They  are  so  stupid  and  silly,  as  often  to  sufler 
themselves,  without  the  least  difficulty,  to  be  knocked  on  the  head,  or 
to  be  driven  into  any  snare  that  is  set  for  them.  They  frequently 
streteh  out  their  neck,  apparently  in  curiosity,  and  remain  otherwise 
unconcerned,  while  the  fowler  takes  aim  at  them.  When  frightened, 
they  fly  off;  but  immediately  afterwards  they  alight,  and  stand  staring 
at  their  foe.  If  the  hen  bird  be  killed,  it  is  said  that  the  male  will 
not  forsake  her,  but  may  then  also  be  killed.  So  little  alarmed  are 
these  birds  at  the  presence  of  mankind,  as  even  to  bear  driving  like 
poultry ;  yet,  notwithstanding  this  apparent  gentleness  of  disposition, 
it  is  impossible  to  domesticate  them  ;  for  when  caught  they  refuse  to 
eat,  and  they  always  die  soon  afterwards. 


280 


THE   PARTRIDGE. 


Their  voice  is  very  extraordinary  :  and  they  do  not  often  exert  it 
except  in  the  night.  Ptarmigans  are  seldom  found  in  Sweden  ;  and  one 
of  these  birds,  several  years  ago,  happening  to  stray  within  a  hundred 
miles  of  Stockholm,  very  much  alarmed  the  common  people  of  the 
neighborhood;  for,  from  its  nightly  noise,  a  report  was  circulated 
that  the  wood,  where  it  had  taken  up  its  residence,  was  haunted  by 
a  ghost.  So  much  were  the  people  terrified  by  this  supposed  sprite, 
that,  for  a  considerable  time,  nothing  could  tempt  the  post-boys  to 
pass  the  wood  after  dark.  The  spirit,  however,  was  at  last  removed, 
by  a  gamekeeper  shooting  the  bird. 

Ptarmigans  form  their  nests  on  the  ground,  in  dry  ridges ;  and  laj 
from  six  to  ten  dusky  eggs  with  reddish-brown  spots. 

The  usual  method  of  catching  these  birds  is  by  nets  made  of  twine 
twenty  feet  square,  connected  to  four  poles,  and  propped  with  sticks 
in  front.  A  long  line  is  fastened  to  these,  the  end  of  which  is  held 
by  a  person  who  lies  concealed  at  a  distance.  Several  people  drive 
the  birds  within  reach  of  the  net;  which  is  then  pulled  down,  and  is 
often  found  to  cover  fifty  or  sixty  of  them.  Ptarmigans  are  in  such 
plenty  in  the  northern  parts  of  America,  that  upwards  of  ten  thousand 
are  l^oquently  caught  for  the  use  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Settlement,  be- 
tween November  and  May. 

The  Laplanders  catch  these  birds  by  means  of  a  hedge  formed  with 
the  branches  of  birch-trees,  and  having  small  openings,  at  certain 
intervals,  with  a  snare  in  each.  The  birds  are  tempted  to  feed  on  the 
buds  and  catkins  of  the  birch ;  and  whenever  they  endeavor  to  pass 
through  the  openings,  they  are  instantly  caught. 

They  are  excellent  food;  and  in  taste  are  so  like  the  common 
grouse,  as  to  be  scarcely  distinguishable  from  it, 


THE   PABTBIDGE. 

The  extremes  of  heat  and  cold  are  alike  unfavorable  to  the  pro- 
pagation  of  the 
Partridge.    This 
bird   also    flour- 
ishes best  in  cul- 
tinted  countries 
ing  principal- 
/  on  the  labors 
the  husband- 
In  SwedeL 


of 


PART81DGE* 


man. 

Partridges  bur- 
row beneath  the 
snow ;  and  the 
whole  covey 
crowd  together 
under  this  shel- 
t  e  r,  to  guard 
against  the  in 


THE   PARTRIDGE.  281 

tense  cold.  In  Greenland,  the  Partridge  is  brown  during  summer  ; 
but  as  soon  as  the  winter  sets  in,  it  becomes  clothed  with  a  thick 
and  warm  down,  and  its  exterior  feathers  assume  the  color  of  the 
enow. 

Partridges  have  ever  held  a  distinguished  place  at  the  tables  of  the 
luxurious,  both  in  Europe  and  America.  We  have  an  old  distich : 

"  If  the  Partridge  had  the  Woodcock's  thigh, 
'T  would  be  the  best  bird  that  e'er  did  fly." 

They  pair  about  the  third  week  in  February  ;  and  sometimes,  after 
pairing,  if  the  weather  be  very  severe,  they  collect  together,  and 
again  form  into  coveys.  In  May  the  female  lays  her  eggs,  usually  from 
fifteen  to  eighteen  in  number,  in  a  rude  nest  of  dry  leaves  and  grass, 
formed  upon  the  ground  ;  these  are  of  a  greenish-gray  color.  The 
period  of  incubation  is  three  weeks.  So  closely  do  these  birds  sit  on 
their  eggs  when  near  hatching,  that  a  Partridge  with  her  nest  haa 
been  carried  in  a  hat  to  some  distance,  and  in  confinement  has  con- 
tinued her  incubation,  and  there  produced  young-ones.  The  great 
hatch  is  about  the  first  ten  days  in  June ;  and  the  earliest  birds  begin  tc 
fly  towards  the  latter  end  «>f  that  month.  The  young  brood  are  able  to 
run  about  as  soon  as  they  are  hatched,  and  they  are  even  sometimes 
seen  encumbered  with  a  piece  of  the  shell  sticking  to  them.  The 
parents  immediately  lead  them  to  ant-hills,  on  the  grubs  of  which 
insects  they  at  first  principally  feed. 

At  the  season  when  the  Partridge  is  produced,  the  various  specie! 
of  Ants  loosen  the  earth  about  their  habitations.  The  young  birds. 
therefore,  have  only  to  scrape  away  the  earth,  and  they  can  satisfy 
their  hunger  without  difficulty.  A  covey  that  some  years  ago 
excited  the  attention  of  the  liev.  Mr.  Gould,  gave  him  an  opportu- 
nity of  remarking  the  great  delight  which  they  take  in  this  kind  of 
food.  On  his  turning  up  a  colony  of  Ants,  and  withdrawing  to  some 
distance,  the  parents  conducted  their  young  ones  to  the  hill,  and  fed 
very  heartily.  After  a  few  days  they  grew  more  bold,  and  ventured 
to  eat  within  twelve  or  fourteen  yards  of  him.  The  surrounding  grass 
was  high ;  by  which  means  they  could,  on  the  least  disturbance,  im- 
mediately run  out  of  sight  and  conceal  themselves.  This  is  an  excellent 
food  for  Partridges  that  are  bred  up  under  a  domestic  hen  ;  if  constantly 
supplied  with  Ants'  grubs  and  fresh  water,  the  birds  seldom  fail  to 
arrive  at  maturity.  Along  with  the  grubs  it  is  recommended  to  give 
tnern,  at  intervals,  a  mixture  of  millepedes,  or  wood-lice,  and  earwigs ; 
fresh  curds  mixed  with  lettuce,  chickweed,  or  groundsel,  should  also 
be  given  them. 

The  affection  of  Partridges  for  their  offspring  is  peculiarly  interest 
ing.  Both  the  parents  lead  them  out  to  feed ;  they  point  out  to  them 
the  proper  places  for  their  food,  and  assist  them  in  finding  it  by 
•cratch ing  the  ground  with  their  feet.  They  frequently  sit  close  to- 
gether, covering  the  young-ones  with  their  wings  ;  and  from  this  pro- 
tection they  are  not  easily  roused.  If,  however,  they  are  disturbed, 
most  persons  acquainted  with  rural  affairs  know  the  confusion  thai 


282  THE   PARTRIDGE. 

ensues.  The  male  gives  the  first  signal  of  alarm,  by  a  peculiar  ciy 
of  distress;  throwing  himself  at  the  same  moment  more  immediately 
into  the  way  of  danger,  in  order  to  mislead  the  enemy.  He  flutters 
along  the  ground,  hanging  his  wings,  and  exhibiting  every  symptom 
of  debility.  By  this  stratagem  he  seldom  fails  of  so  far  attracting 
the  attention  of  the  intruder,  as  to  allow  the  female  to  conduct  the 
helpless,  unfledged  brood  into  some  place  of  security.  "  A  Partridge 
(says  Mr.  White,  who  gives  an  instance  of  this  instinctive  sagacity) 
came  out  of  a  ditch,  and  ran  along  shivering  with  her  wings,  and 
crying  out  as  if  wounded  and  unable  to  get  from  us.  While  the 
dam  feigned  distress,  a  boy  who  attended  me  saw  the  brood,  which  was 
small  and  unable  to  fly,  run  for  shelter  into  an  old  fox -hole,  under 
the  bank."  Mr.  Marwick  relates,  that  "  once  as  he  was  hunting  with 
a  young  Pointer,  the  dog  ran  on  a  brood  of  very  small  Partridges, 
The  old  bird  cried,  fluttered,  and  ran  tumbling  along  just  before  the 
dog's  nose,  till  she  had  drawn  him  to  a  considerable  distance;  when 
she  took  wing  and  flew  further  oft',  but  not  out  of  the  fiel-i.  On  this 
the  dog  returned  nearly  to  the  place  where  the  young-ones  lay  con- 
cealed in  the  grass ;  this  the  old  bird  no  sooner  perceived  than  she 
flew  back  again,  settled  just  before  the  dog's  nose,  and  a  second  time 
acted  the  same  part,  rolling  and  tumbling  about  till  she  drew  off'  his 
attention  from  her  brood,  and  thus  succeeded  in  preserving  them." 
This  gentleman  says  also  that,  when  a  Kite  was  once  hovering  over  a 
covey  of  young  Partridges,  he  saw  the  old  birds  fly  up  at  the  ferocious 
enemy,  screaming  and  fighting  with  all  their  might  to  preserve  their 
brood. 

The  eggs  of  the  Partridge  are  frequently  destroyed  by  "Weasels, 
Stoats,  Crows,  Magpies,  and  other  animals.  When  this  has  been  the 
case,  the  female  frequently  makes  another  nest  and  lays  afresh.  The 
produce  of  these  second  hatchings  are  those  small  birds  that  are  not 
perfectly  feathered  in  the  tail  till  the  beginning  of  October.  This  is 
always  a  puny,  sickly  race, ;  and  the  individuals  seldom  outlive  the 
rigors  of  the  winter. 

It  is  said  that  those  Partridges  which  are  hatched  under  a  domestic 
hen,  retain  through  life  the  habit  of  calling  whenever  they  hear  the 
clucking  of  hens. 

The  Partridge,  even  when  reared  by  the  hand,  soon  neglects  those 
who  have  the  care  of  it ;  and,  shortly  after  its  full  growth,  altogether 
estranges  itself  from  the  house  where  it  was  bred.  This  will  almost 
invariably  be  its  conduct,  however  intimately  it  may  have  connected 
•tself  with  the  place  and  inhabitants  in  the  early  part  of  its  exist- 
ence. Among  the  few  instances  of  the  Partridge's  remaining  tame, 
was  that  of  one  reared  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bird.  This,  long  after  its 
full  growth,  attended  the  parlor  at  breakfast  and  other  times,  received 
food  from  any  hand  that  gave  it,  stretched  itself  before  the  fire,  and 
seemed  much  to  enjoy  the  warmth.  At  length,  it  fell  a  victim  to  that 
foe  of  all  favorite  birds,  a  cat. 

On  the  farm  of  Lion  nail,  in  Essex,  belonging  to  Colonel  Hawker, 
a  Partridge,  in  the  year  1788,  formed  her  nest,  and  hatched  sixteen 
eggs,  on  the  top  of  a  'pollard  oak-tree.  What  renders  this  circumstance 


THE  QUAIL. 


283 


ihe  more  remarkable  is,  that  the  tree  had,  fastened  to  it,  the  oars  of  a 
Blile,  where  there  was  a  footpath ;  and  the  passengers,  in  going  over 
discovered  and  disturbed  her  before  she  sat  close.  When  the  bro«nl 
was  hatched,  the  birds  scrambled  down  the  short  and  rough  boujrhn, 
which  grew  out  all  around  from  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  and  ruachtxi 
the  ground  in  safety. 


CALIFORNIA   PARTRIDGE. 


In  the  year  1798,  the  following  occurrence  took  place  at  East  Dean 
in  Sussex,  which  will  tend  to  prove  that  Partridges  have  no  powers 
of  migration.  A  covey  of  sixteen  Partridges,  having  been  disturbed 
by  some  men  at  plough,  directed  their  flight  across  the  cliff  to  the 
sea,  over  which  they  continued  their  course  about  three  hundred 
vnrds.  Either  intimidated,  or  otherwise  affected  by  that  element,  the 
whole  were  then  observed  to  drop  into  the  water.  Twelve  of  them 
were  soon  afterwards  floated  to  shore  by  the  tide,  where  they  were 
picked  up  by  a  boy,  who  carried  them  to  Eastbourn  for  sale. 


284  THE    QUAIL. 

It  has  long  been  a  received  opinion  among  sportsmen,  as  well  a* 
among  naturalists,  that  the  female  Partridge  has  none  of  the  bay 
feathers  of  the  breast  like  the  male.  This,  however,  on  dissection, 
has  proved- to  be  a  mistake;  for  Mr.  Montagu  happening  to  kill  nine 
birds  in  one  day,  with  very  little  variation  as  to  the  bay  mark  on  the 
breast,  he  was  led  to  open  them  all,  and  discovered  that  five  of  them 
were  females.  On  carefully  examining  the  plumage,  he  found  that 
the  males  could  only  be  known  by  the 
superior  brightness  of  color  about  the 
head;  which  alone,  after  the  first  or 
pecond  year,  seems  to  be  the  true  mark 
of  distinction. 

The  California  Quail    is  a  beautiful 
species  with  a  small  feather  by  way  of 

Oil  itS  head.  ' 


THE   QUAIL. 

The  bill  of  this  bird  is  of  a  dusky  color.  The  feathers  of  the  head 
are  black,  edged  with  a  rusty  brown.  The  crown  of  the  head  is  di 
vided  by  a  whitish  yellow  line,  beginning  at  the  bill,  and  running 
along  the  hind  part  of  the  neck  to  the  back.  Above  each  eye  there 
is  another  line  of  similar  color.  The  chin  and  throat  are  of  a  dirty 
white.  The  cheeks  are  spotted  with  brown  and  white.  The  breast 
is  of  a  pale  yellowish  red,  spotted  with  black.  The  scapular  feathers, 
and  those  on  the  back,  are  marked  in  the  middle  with  a  long,  pale, 
yellow  line;  and  on  their  sides  with  ferruginous  and  black  bars.  The 
coverts  of  the  wings  are  reddish  brown,  elegantly  barred  with  paler 
lines,  bounded  on  each  side  with  black.  The  exterior  side  of  the  first 
quill-feathers  is  white;  and  of  the  others,  dusky  spotted  with  red. 

These  birds  general/y  s^eep  during  the  clay,  concealed  in  the  tallest 
grass;  lying  on  their  sides,  with  their  legs  extended.  So  very  indolent 
are  these  birds,  that  a  Dog  must  absolutely  run  upon  them  before  they 
are  flushed ;  and  when  they  are  forced  upon  wing,  they  seldom  fly  far. 
Quails  are  easily  drawn  within  reach  of  a  net,  by  a  call  imitating 
their  cry,  which  is  not  unlike  the  words  whit,  whit,  whit:  this  is  done 
with  an  instrument  called  a  quail-pipe. 

Quails  are  found  in  several  parts  of  Great  Britain ;  and  the  time  of 
their  migration  from  there  is  August  or  September.  They  are  sup- 
posed to  winter  in  Africa;  and  they  return  early  in  the  spring.  At 
their  arrival  in  Alexandria,  such  multitudes  are  exposed  in  the  mar- 
kets for  sale,  that  three  or  four  may  sometimes  be  bought  for  a  medina 
(a  coin  less  than  three  farthings  in  value.)  Crews  of  merchant- vessels 
have  been  fed  upon  them;  and  complaints  have  sometimes  been  laid  at 
the  consul's  office,  by  mariners  against  their  captains,  for  giving  them 
nothing  but  Quails  to  eat. 

With  wind  and  weather  in  their  favor,  these  birds  have  been  known, 
in  the  course  of  one  night,  to  perform  a  flight  of  fifty  leagues  acrosi 
the  Black  Sea ;  a  wonderful  distance  for  so  short-winged  a  bird. 

Such  prodigious  numbers  of  Quails  have  sometimes  appeared  on 


285 


286  THE  GREAT    BUSTARD. 

the  western  coasts  of  the  kingdom  of  Naples,  that  a  bunched  thou- 
sand have,  in  one  day,  been  caught  within  the  space  of  three  or  four 
miles.  Most  of  these  are  taken  to  Rome,  where  they  are  in  great 
request,  and  are  sold  at  high  prices.  Clouds  of  Quails  also  alight,  in 
spring,  along  the  coasts  of  Provence  :  especially  in  the  lands  belonging 
*o  the  bishop  of  Frejus,  which  border  on  the  sea.  Ilere  they  are 
sometimes  found  so  exhausted,  that  for  a  few  of  the  first  days  they 
»nay  be  caught  with  the  hand.  In  some  parts  of  the  south  of  Russia 
*hey  abound  so  greatly,  that  at  the  time  of  their  migration  they  are 
caught  by  thousands,  and  sent  in  casks  to  Moscow  and  Petersburg. 

With  respect  of  these  birds  having  an  instinctive  knowledge  of  the 
precise  time  for  emigration,  we  have  a  singular  fact  in  some  young 
Quails,  which,  having  been  bred  in  cages  from  the  earliest  period  of 
their  lives,  had  never  enjoyed,  and  therefore  could  not  feel,  the  loss 
of  liberty.  For  four  successive  years  they  were  observed  to  be  rest- 
less, and  to  flutter  with  unusual  agitations,  regularly  in  September 
and  April ;  and  this  uneasiness  lasted  thirty  days  each  time.  It  began 
constantly  an  hour  before  sun-set.  The  birds  passed  the  whole  night 
in  these  fruitless  struggles  ;  and  always  on  the  following  day  appeared 
dejected  and  stupid. 

Quails  are  birds  of  undaunted  courage ;  and  their  quarrels  often 
terminate  in  mutual  destruction.  This  irascible  disposition  induced 
the  ancient  Greeks  and  Romans  to  fight  them  with  each  o  her,  as  the 
moderns  do  game-cocks.  And  such  favorites  were  the  con  ^erors,  that 
in  one  instance  Augustus  punished  a  prefect  of  Egypt  with  death  for 
having  brought  to  his  table  one  of  these  birds  which  had  acquired 
celebrity  for  its  victories.  The  fighting  of  Quails  is  even  now  a 
fashionable  diversion  in  China,  and  in  some  parts  of  Italy. 


OF  THE  BUSTARDS  IN  GENERAL. 


THE  Bustards  have  a  somewhat  con- 
vex bill,  with  open  and  oblong  nostrils. 
Their  legs  are  long,  and  naked  above 
the  knees.  The  feet  have  only  three 
toes,  all  placed  forward. 

There  are  about  twelve  different  spe- 
cies of  Bustards,  nearly  all  of  which 
are  inhabitants  of  the  Old  Continent. 


THE   GKEAT  BUSTARD. 

This  is  one  ot  the  largest  land-fowl,  the  male  sometimes  weighing 
twenty-five  pounds  and  upwards.  The  length  is  nearly  four  feet,  and 
the  breadtr  nine.  The  head  and  neck  are  ash-colored.  The  back  is 


THE  GREAT   BUSTARD. 


287 


transversely  barred  with  black,  and  bright  rust-color.  The  bel  /  m 
white  :  and  the  tail,  consisting  of  twenty  feathers,  is  barred  with  red 
and  black.  The  legs  are  dusky.  On  each  side  of  the  lower  mandible 
of  the  bill  there  is  a  tuft  of  feathers  about  nine  inches  long. 

The  female  is  not  much  more  than  half  the  size  of  the  male.  The 
top  of  her  head  is  of  a  deep  orange,  and  the  rest  of  the  head  brown.  Her 
colors  are  not  so  bright  as  those  of  the  male,  and  she  wants  the  tuft 
en  each  side  of  the  head. 

There  is  one  very  essential  distinction  between  tho  male  and  the 

female  of  this  spe- 
cies. The  former 
is  furnished  with 
a  sac  or  pouch, 
situated  in  the  fore 
part  of  the  neck, 
and  capable  of 
containing  more 
than  two  quarts  of 
water.  The  en- 
trance to  this 
pouch  is  immedi- 
ately under  the 
tongue.  This  sin- 
gular reservoir  was 
first  discovered  by 
Dr.  Douglass,  who 
supposes  that  the 
bird  fills  it  with 
water,  to  supply 
its  thirst  in  the 
midst  of  those  ex- 
tensive plains 
where  it  is  accus- 
tomed to  wander. 
The  Bustard  like- 
wise makes  a  fur 
4ther  use  of  it,  in 
defending  itself 
against  the  attacks 
of  birds  of  prey : 
on  these  occasions 
it  throws  out  the  water  with  such  violence,  as  not  unfrequently  to 
baffle  the  pursuit  of  its  enemv. 

This  bird  makes  no  nest,  but  the  female  lays  her  eggs  in  some  hollow 
place  of  the  ground,  in  a  dry  corn  field ;  these  are  two  in  number,  as 
big  as  those  of  a  goose,  and  of  a  pale  olive  brown,  marked  with  spots 
of  a  deeper  color.  If,  during  her  absence  from  the  nest,  any  one  handle 
or  even  breathe  upon  the  eggs,  she  immediately  abandons  them.  The 
roung  ones  follow  the  dam  soon  after  they  are  excluded  from  the  egg, 
but  they  are  not  capable  foi  some  time  of  flying. 


GRKAT    BCSTARD. — MALE. 


ppp? 

I  illMH  '  .1 


BLACK   HEADED    BUSTARD— LEADEN -TINTED   BUSTARD.       289 


flustards  feed  on  green  corn,  the  tops  of  turnips,  and  other  vegeta- 
bles as  well  as  on  worms:  and  they  have  been  known  to  eat  Frogs, 
Mice,  and  also  yonng 
birds.  They  are  re- 
markable for  their 
great  timidity;  they 
carefully  avoid  man- 
kind, and  are  easily 
driven  away  in  whole 
herds  by  the  smallest 
dog. 

In  England  these 
birds  are  now  and 
then  met  with:  they 
frequent  the  open 
countries  of  the  south 
and  east  parts,  from 
Dorsetshire,  as  far  as 
the  wolds  in  York- 
shire ;  and  are  some- 
times, though  rarely, 
seen  on  Salisbury 
Plain.  They  are 
slow  in  taking  wing, 
but  run  with  great 
rapidity ;  and  the 
young  ones  are 
sometimes  coursed 
and  taken  by  Grey- 
hounds, which  are 


GRJBAT   BUSTARD/— FEMALE. 


conveyed  towards  them  in  covered  carts  until  such  time  as  they  evince 
symptoms  of  alarm  and  begin  to  move  off,  when  the  dogs  are  slipped 
from  their  couplings.  Of  wayfaring  people,  however,  it  seems  to  have 
little  apprehension ;  the  usual  plan,  therefore,  is  for  the  sportsman  to 
clothe  himself  like  a  peasant,  and  to  make  up  to  it  with  a  basket  on 
his  back,  holding  his  gun  closely  by  his  side. 


THE  LITTLE  BUSTARD. 

Unlike  the  larger  species  the  Little  Bustard  is  not  restricted  to  flat 
and  open  districts,  but  frequently  inhabits  mountainous  regions. 
Although  closely  resembling  the  species  last  described  in  many  respects, 
it  yet  differs  from  it  considerably  in  the  ease  and  comparative  lightness 
of  its  movements.  Its  gait  is  more  graceful  and  its  flight  more  swift 
and  capable  of  being  long  sustained.  In  disposition  it  is  cautious,  but 
by  no  means  so  shy  as  the  Great  Bustard  ;  if  disturbed  it  seeks  safety 
by  squatting  close  to  the  ground  among  the  grass  or  brushwood. 


200  THE   G°LD   BREASTED   TRUMPETER. 


OF  THE  TRUMPETERS. 

THE  bill  is  moderately  long,  having  the  upper  mandible  a  little 
convex.  The  nostrils  are  oblong,  sunk,  and  pervious.  The  tongue  is 
cartilaginous,  flat,  and  fringed  at  the  tip.  The  legs  are  naked  a  little 
above  the  knees ;  and  the  toes  are  placed  three  before  and  one  behind. 

This  singular  tribe,  of  which  only  two  species  have  yet  been  discovered 
stands  arranged,  even  in  Gmelin's  edition  of  the  Systema  Naturae, 
among  the  birds  of  the  ensuing  order,  the  Waders ;  but  both  in  ita 
formation  and  habits  it  differs  so  materially  from  the  whole  of  that 
order,  that  I  have  not  hesitated  in  placing  it  among  the  gallinaceous 
birds. 


THE  GOLD-BREASTED  TRUMPETER, 

The  length  of  this  bird  is  about  twenty-two  inches  ;  and  its  legs  are 
five  inches  high,  and  completely  covered  with 
small  scales,  which  reach  two  inches  above  the 
knee.  Its  general  plumage  is  black  :  and  the 
feathers  of  the  head  and  neck  are  very  short 
and  downy  ;  those  of  the  fore  part  of  the  neck, 
and  upper  part  of  the  breast,  of  a  glossy  gilded 
green,  with  a  reflection  of  blue  in  some  lights. 
The  feathers  between  the  shoulders  are  rust- 
colored,  changing  into  a  pale  ash-color  as  they 
pass  downward.  They  are  loose  and  silky 
Those  of  the  scapulars  are  long,  and  hang  ovei 
the  tail,  which  is  very  short,  and  consists  of 
twelve  blackish  feathers.  The  legs  are  green- 
ish ;  and  the  bill  is  yellowish  green,  having 


»*   OOUM.BlAi.TKD  TRUMPET**. 


The  most  characteristic  and  remarkable  property  of  the  Gold- 
breasted  Trumpeters  consists  in  the  singular  noise  which  they  often 
make  either  of  their  own  accord,  or  when  urged  by  their  keepers. 
To  induce  one  of  the  birds  to  this,  it  is  sometimes  necessary  to  entice 
it  with  a  bit  of  bread  to  come  near  ;  and  then,  making  the  same  kind 
of  sound,  which  the  keepers  can  well  imitate,  the  bird  will  frequently 
be  disposed  to  repeat  it  The  Gold-breasted  Trumpeter,  when  tarnea, 
distinguishes  its  master  and  benefactor  with  marks  of  affection.  — 
"Having  (says  Vosmaer)  reared  one  myself,  I  had  an  opportunity 
of  experiencing  this.  When  I  opened  its  cage  in  the  morning,  the 
animal  hopped  round  me,  expanding  his  wings,  and  trumpeting,  as  if 
to  wish  me  good  morning.  He  showed  equal  attention  when  I  went 
out  and  returned.  No  sooner  did  he  perceive  me  at  a  distance,  than 
ho  ran  to  meet  me  ;  and  even  when  I  happened  to  be  in  a  boat,  and 
set  my  foot  on  shore,  he  welcomed  me  with  the  same  compliments^ 
which  he  reserved  for  me  alone,  and  never  bestowed  upon  others. 


THE  GOLD-BREASTED    TRUMPETER.  291 

The  Trumpeter  is  easily  tamed,  and  always  becomes  attache  I  to 
its  benefactor.  When  bred  up  in  the  house,  it  loads  its  master  with 
caresses,  and  follows  his  motions ;  and,  if  it  conceive  a  dislike  to  per 
sons  on  account  of  their  forbidding  figure,  or  of  injuries  received,  it 
will  pursue  them  sometimes  to  a  considerable  distance,  biting  their 
legs,  and  testifying  every  mark  of  displeasure.  It  obeys  the  voice  of 
its  master,  and  even  answers  to  the  call  of  others  to  whom  it  bears  no 
ill-will.  It  is  fond  of  caresses,  and  offers  its  head  and  neck  to  b* 
stroked;  and  if  once  accustomed  to  these  familiarities,  it  becortes 
troublesome,  and  will  not  be  satisfied  without  continual  fondling.  It 
makes  its  appearance  as  often  as  its  master  sits  down  to  table,  and 
begins  by  driving  out  the  dogs  and  cats  from  the  room  ;  for  it  is  so 
obstinate  and  bold,  that  it  never  yields,  but,  often,  after  a  tough  battle, 
will  put  even  a  middle-sized  dog  to  flight.  It  avoids  the  bites  of  its 
antagonist  by  rising  in  the  air  ;  and  retaliates  with  violent  blows  of 
its  bill  and  claws,,  aimed  chiefly  at  the  eyes.  After  it  gains  the 
superiority,  it  pursues  its  victory  with  the  utmost  rancor,  and  if  not 
taken  oft',  will  destroy  the  fugitive.  By  its  intercourse  with  man,  it* 
instincts  become  moulded  like  those  of  dogs ;  and  we  are  assured 
that  it  can  be  trained  to  attend  a  flock  of  sheep.  It  even  shows  a 
degree  of  jealousy  of  its  human  rivals;  for  when  at  table,  it  bites 
fiercely  the  naked  legs  of  the  negroes  and  other  domestics  who 
approach  its  master. 

Nearly  all  these  birds  have  a  habit  of  following  people  through 
the  streets,  and  out  of  town  ;  even  those  whom  they  have  never  seen 
before.  It  is  difficult  to  get  rid  of  them  ;  if  a  person  enter  a  house, 
they  will  wait  his  return,  and  again  join  him,  though  after  an  interval 
of  two  or  three  hours.  1  have  sometimes,  (says  M.  de  la  Bo rde)  be- 
taken myself  to  my  heels ;  but  they  ran  faster,  and  always  got  before 
me ;  and  when  I  stopped  they  stopped  also.  1  know  one  that  invaria- 
bly follows  all  the  strangers  who  enter  its  master's  house,  accompanies 
them  into  the  garden,  takes  as  many  turns  there  as  they  do,  and 
attends  them  back  again. 

In  a  state  of  nature  thia  bird  inhabits  the  arid  mountains  and 
upland  forests  of  South  America ;  never  visiting  the  clear  grounds,, 
nor  the  settlements.  It  associates  in  numerous  flocks.  It  walks  and 
runs,  rather  than  flies ;  for  it  never  rises  more  than  a  few  feet  from 
the  ground,  and  then  only  to  reach  some  short  distance,  or  to  gain 
eome  low  branch.  It  feeds  on  wild  fruits ;  and,  when  surprised  in  its 
haunts,  makes  its  escape  by  the  swiftness  of  its  feet,  at  the  same  time 
emitting  a  shrill  crv  not  unlike  that  of  a  Turkey. 

It  walks  out  alone  without  any  danger  of  losing  itself  and  it  is 
asserted  that  it  will  drive  ducks  and  fowls  to  their  feeding-place  in  the 
morning  and  bring  them  home  at  night,  carefully  collecting  any  strag- 
glers. As  for  the  bird  itself  it  is  never  shut  up,  but  sleeps  just  where 
it  pleases,  upon  the  roof  of  a  barn  or  in  the  farmyard.  Its  trumpeting 
is  described  as  resembling  the  sound  produced  by  a  person  endeavoring 
to  pronounce  "  ton,  ton,  ton ;  ton,  ton,  ton,"  with  his  mouth  shut,  or 
the  doleful  noise  made  by  the  Dutch  bakers,  who  blow  a  glass  trumpet 
to  inform  their  customers  when  their  bread  is  taken  out  of  the  oven. 
19 


292 


OF   THE   OSTRICHES   IN   GENERAL. 


OF    THE    OSTRICHES    IN    GENERAL. 

In  the  Ostriches,  the  bill  is  straight  and  depressed.  The  wings  are 
small  iii  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  body,  and  altogether  useless  for 
flight.  The  legs  are  naked  above  the  kiiee:  the  number  of  toes,  in  one 
species,  is  two,  and  in  the  remaining  species  three;  and  these  are 
placed  forwards. 


G8TBIC1I    1IVKT. 


THE  BLACK,  OR  GREAT  OSTRICH.  293 


THE  BLACK,  OE  GREAT  OSTRICH. 

This  Ostrich  stands  so  high  as  to  measure  from  seven  to  nine  feet 
from  the  top  of  the  head  to  the  ground.  From  the  back,  however,  it 
is  seldom  more  than  three  or  four  feet,  the  rest  of  its  height  being  made 
up  by  its  extremely  long  neck.  The  head  is  small ;  and,  as  well  as  the 
greater  part  of  the  neck,  is  covered  only  with  a  few  scattered  hairs. 
The  feathers  of  the  body  are  black  and  loose ;  those  of  the  wings  and 
tail  are  of  a  snowy  white,  waved,  and  long,  having  here  and  there  a  tip 
of  black.  The  wings  are  furnished  with  spurs.  The  thighs  and  flanks 
are  naked ;  and  the  feet  are  strong,  and  of  a  gray-brown  color.  The 
foot  of  the  Ostrich  is  not  a  little  remarkable.  It  is  divided  into  two 
toes  only,  and  each  toe,  well  padded  beneath,  is  armed  at  the  extremity 
with  what  may  be  properly  called  a  hoof.  The  whole  strongly 
resembles  the  foot  of  the  camel. 

The  sandy  and  burning  deserts  of  Africa  and  Asia  are  the  only 
native  residences  of  the  Black  Ostriches.  Here  these  birds  are  seen  in 
flocks,  so  extensive  as  sometimes  to  have  been  mistaken  for  distant 
cavalry. 

There  are  many  circumstances  111  the  economy  of  the  Ostrich,  which 
differ  from  those  of  the  feathered  race  in  general.  This  bird  seems 
to  form  one  of  the  links  of  union  in  the  great  chain  of  nature,  connect- 
ing the  winged  with  the  four-footed  tribes.  Its  strong-jointed  legs, 
and  (if  I  may  venture  so  to  call  them)  cloven  hoofs,  are  well  adapted 
both  for  speed  and  for  defence.  Its  wings  are  insufficient  to  raise  it  from 
the  ground :  its  camel-shaped  neck  is  covered  with  hair :  its  voice  is  a 
kind  of  hollow,  mournful  lowing:  and  it  grazes  on  the  plain  with  the 
Quagga  and  the  Zebra. 

Ostriches  are  frequently  injurious  to  farmers  in  the  interior  of 
Southern  Africa,  by  coming  in  flocks  into  their  fields,  and  destroying 
the  ears  of  wheat  so  effectually,  that  in  a  large  tract  of  land  they  some- 
times leave  nothing  but  the  mere  straw  behind.  The  body  of  the  bird 
is  not  higher  than  the  corn  ;  and  when  it  devours  the  ears,  it  bends  down 
its  long  ueck,  so  that  at  a  little  distance  it  cannot  be  seen ;  but  on  the 
least  noise  it  rears  its  head,  and  generally  contrives  to  escape  before  the 
fanner  gets  within  gun-shot  of  it. 

When  the  Ostrich  runs,  it  has  a  proud  and  haughty  appearance ; 
and,  even  when  in  extreme  distress,  never  appears  in  great  haste, 
especially  if  the  wind  be  with  it.  Its  wings  are  frequently  of  material 
use  in  aiding  its  escape;  for,  when  the  wind  blows  in  the  direction 
that  it  is  pursuing,  it  always  flaps  them.  In  this  case  the  swiftest  horse 
cannot  overtake  it :  but  if  the  weather  be  hot,  and  there  be  no  wind, 
the  difficulty  of  out-running  it  is  not  so  great. 

Ostriches  are  polygamous  birds  ;  one  male  being  seen  with  two  or 
three,  and  sometimes  with  five  females.  It  has  been  commonly  believed, 
that  the  female  Ostrich,  after  depositing  her  eggs  in  the  sand,  and 
there  covering  them  up,  trusts  them  to  be  hatched  by  the  heat  of  the 
climate,  and  leaves  the  young-ones  to  provide  for  themselves.  Even 
the  author  of  the  book  of  Job  alludes  to  this  popular  notion  respecting 


204 


THE   BLACK,  OR   GREAT  OSTRICH. 


the  Ostrich,  "  which  leaveth  her  eggs  in  the  earth,  and  warmeth  them 
in  the  dust ;  and  forgetteth  that  the  foot  may  crush  them,  or  that  the 
wild  beast  may  break  them.  She  is  hardened  against  her  young-ones, 
as  though  they  were  not  hers :  her  labor  is  in  vain,  without  fear , 
because  God  has  deprived  her  of  wisdom,  neither  hath  he  imparted  tc? 
her  understanding."  Recent  travellers  have,  however,  assured  us 
that  no  bird  has  a  stronger  affection  for  her  offspring  than  this,  and 
that  none  watches  her  eggs  with  greater  assiduity.  But  though  she 
sometimes  leaves  them  by  day,  she  always  carefully  broods  over  them 
by  night;  and  Kolben,  who  saw  great  numbers  of  Ostriches  at  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope,  affirms,  that  they  sit  on  their  eggs  like  other 


birds,  and  that  the  males  and  females  take  this  office  by  tnrns,  as  he 
had  frequent  opportunities  of  observing.  Nor  is  it  more  true  that 
they  forsake  their  young-ones  as  soon  as  they  are  excluded  from  the 
shell.  On  the  contrary,  these  are  not  able  to  walk  for  several  days 
after  they  are  hatched.  During  this  time  the  parents  are  very  assiduous- 
in  supplying  them  with  grass  and  water,  and  will  encounter  every 
danger  in  their  defence.  The  females  which  are  united  to  one  male 
deposit  all  their  eggs  in  the  same  place,  to  the  number  of  ten  or  twelve 
each :  these  they  hatch  altogether,  the  male  also  taking-  his  turn  of 
sitting  on  them..  Between  sixty  and  seventy  eggs  have  sometimes-  been 
found  in  one  nest.  The  time  of  incubation  is  six  week? 


THE  BLACK,  OR  GREAT  OSTRICH.  295 

M.  Le  Vaillant  informs  us.  that,  in  Africa,  he  started  an  Ostrich 
from  its  nest,  where  he  found  eleven  eggs  quite  warm :  he  alsc  found 
four  others  at  a  little  distance.  Those  in  the  nest  had  young-ones  in 
in  them;  but  his  attendants  eagerly  caught  up  the  detached  ones, 
assuring  him  that  they  were  perfectly  good  to  eat.  They  informed 
him,  that  near  the  nest  there  are  always  placed  a  certain  number  of 
eggs,  which  the  birds  do  not  sit  upon,  and  which  are  designed  for  the 
first  nourishment  of  the  future  young.  "  Experience,  (says  M.  Le 
Vaillant)  has  convinced  me  of  the  truth  of  this  observation.;  for  I  never 
afterwards  met  with  an  Ostrich's  nest,  without  finding  eggs  disposed  ID 
this  manner." 

Some  time  after  this,  M.  Le  Vaillant  found  a  female  Ostrich  on  a 
nest  containing  thirty-two  eggs ;  and  twelve  eggs  were  arranged  at  a 
little  distance,  each  in  a  separate  cavity  formed  for  it.  He  remained 
i.ear  the  place  some  time;  and  saw  three  other  females  come  and 
•alternately  seat  themselves  in  the  nest ;  each  sitting  for  about  a  quarter 
of  an  hour,  and  then  giving  place  to  another,  who,  while  waiting,  sat 
close  by  the  side  of  her  whom  she  was  to  succeed. 

That  Ostriches  have  a  great  affection  for  their  offspring,  may  be  in- 
ferred from  the  assertion  of  Professor  Thunberg,  that  he  once  rode  past 
the  place  where  a  hen  Ostrich  was  sitting  on  her  nest ;  when  the  bird 
sprang  up  and  pursued  him,  evidently  with  a  view  to  prevent  hia 
noticing  her  eggs  or  young.  Every  time  he  turned  his  horse  towards 
her,  she  retreated  ten  or  twelve  paces ;  but  as  soon  as  he  rode  on 
again,  she  pursued  him,  till  he  had  got  to  a  considerable  distance  from 
the  place  where  he  had  started  her. 

If  the  eggs  of  Ostriches  be  touched  by  any  person  in  the  absence  of 
the  parents,  the  birds  not  only  desist  from  laying  any  more  in  the  samo 
place,  but  trample  to  pieces  with  their  feet  all  those  that  have  been 
left.  The  natives  of  Africa,  therefore,  are  very  careful  in  taking  part 
of  the  eggs  away,  not  to  touch  any  of  them  with  their  hands,  but 
always  to  push  them  out  of  the  nest  with  a  long  stick. 

In  the  interior  of  the  eggs  there  are  frequently  discovered  a  number 
of  small  oval-shaped  pebbles,  about  the  size  of  a  marrow-fat  pea ;  of  a 
pale  yellow  color,  and  exceedingly  hard.  Mr.  Barrow  states  that  he 
Baw  in  one  egg  nine  and  in  another  twelve.  These  stones  are  some- 
times set,  and  used  for  buttons. 

This  gentleman,  states  that  the  eggs  of  the  Ostrich  are  considered  a 
great  delicacy.  They  are  prepared  as  food  in  various  ways :  but  the 
best  way,  he  says,  is  to  bury  them  in  hot  ashes ;  and,  through  a  hole 
made  in  the  upper  end,  to  stir  the  contents  round  till  they  acquire 
the  consistence  of  an  omelet.  Prepared  in  this  manner  he  often  found 
them  an  excellent  repast,  in  his  long  journeys  over  the  wilds  of  Africa. 
These  eggs  are  easily  preserved  for  a  great  length  of  time,  even  at  sea ; 
and  without  any  of  that  trouble  of  constantly  turning  them,  which  is 
necessary  with  hen's  eggs.  This  is  owing  entirely  to  the  thickness 
and  strength  of  the  shells.  At  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  they  are  usually 
sold  for  about  twelve  cents  each.  From  their  large  size,  one  of  them 
is  sufficient  to  serve  two  or  three  persons  at  a  meal. 

Thunberg  saw  necklaces  and  ornaments  for  the  waist,  that  had  been 


296  THE  BLACK,  OR  GREAT  OSTRICH. 

made  of  the  shells  of  the  eggs,  by  grinding  bits  of  them  into  the  form 
of  small  rings. 

The  Ostrich  itself  is  chiefly  valuable  for  its  plumage ;  and  the  Arabians 
have  reduced  the  chase  of  it  to  a  kind  of  science.  They  hunt  it  on 
horseback,  and  begin  their  pursuit  by  a  gentle  gallop ;  for,  should  they 
at  the  outset  use  the  least  rashness,  the  matchless  speed  of  the  game 
would  immediately  carry  it  out  of  their  sight,  and  in  a  very  short 
time  beyond  their  reach.  But  when  they  proceed  gradually,  it  makes 
no  particular  effort  to  escape.  It  does  not  go  in  a  direct  line,  but 
runs  first  to  one  side  and  then  to  the  other ;  this  its  pursuers  take 
advantage  of,  and,  by  rushing  directly  onward,  save  much  ground. 
In  a  few  days,  at  most,  the  strength  of  the  animal  is  exhausted ;  and  it 
then  either  turns  on  the  hunters  and  fights  with  the  fury  of  despair, 
or  hides  its  head,  and  tamely  receives  its  fate. 

Some  persons  breed  Ostriches  in  flocks :  for  they  may  be  tamed  with 
very  little  trouble ;  and  in  their  domestic  state  few  animals  may  be 
rendered  more  useful.  Besides  the  valuable  feathers  which  they  cast; 
the  eggs  which  they  lay ;  their  skins,  which  are  used  by  the  Arabians 
as  a  substitute  for  leather;  and  their  flesh,  which  many  esteem  as 
excellent  food,  they  are  sometimes  made  to  serve  the  purpose  of 
Horses. 

In  a  tame  state,  it  is  pleasant  to  observe  with  what  dexterity  they 
play  and  frisk  about.  In  the  heat  of  the  day,  particularly,  they  will 
strut  along  the  sunny  side  of  a  house  with  great  majesty,  perpetually 
fanning  'themselves  with  their  expanded  wings,  and  seeming  at  every 
turn  to  admire,  and  be  enamored  of,  their  own  shadows.  During  most 
parts  of  the  day,  in  hot  climates,  their  wings  are  in  a  kind  of  vibrating 
or  quivering  motion,  as  if  designed  principally  to  assuage  the  heat. 

They  are  tractable  and  familiar  towards  persons  who  are  acquainted 
with  them ;  but  they  are  often  fierce  towards  strangers,  whom  they 
sometimes  attempt  to  push  down,  by  running  furiously  upon  them ; 
and,  on  succeeding  in  this  effort,  they  not  only  peck  at  the  fallen  foe 
with  their  bills,  but  strike  at  him  violently  with  their  feet.  While  thus 
engaged,  the  Ostriches  sometimes  make  a  fierce  hissing  noise,  and 
have  their  throats  inflated  and  their  mouths  open.  At  other  times 
they  make  a  kind  of  cackling  noise,  like  some  species  of  poultry :  this 
they  use  when  they  have  overcome  or  routed  an  adversary.  During 
the  night  they  often  utter  a  doleful  or  hideous  cry,  somewhat  resembling 
the  distant  roaring  of  a  Lion,  or  the  hoarse  tone,  of  a  Bear  or  an  Ox,  as 
if  they  were  in  great  agony. 

They  will  swallow,  with  the  utmost  voracity,  rags,  leather,  wood, 
iron,  or  stone,  indiscriminately.  "  I  saw  one  at  Oran,  (says  Dr.  Shaw,) 
that  swallowed,  without  any  seeming  uneasiness  or  inconvenience, 
several  leaden  bullets,  as  they  were  thrown  upon  the  floor,  scorching 
hot  from  the  mould  !" 

When  Mr.  Adanson  was  at  Podar,  a  French  factory  on  the  southern 
branch  of  the  river  Niger,  two  young  but  nearly  full-grown  Ostriches 
belonging  to  the  factory,  afforded  him  a  very  amusing  sight.  They 
were  so  tame,  that  two  little  blacks  mounted  both. together  on  the  back 
of  the  largest.  No  sooner  did  he  feel  their  weight,  than  he  began  to 


298  THE  CASSOWARY. 

run  as  fast  as  possible,  and  carried  them  several  times  round  tne  village, 
as  it  was  impossible  to  stop  him  otherwise  than  by  obstructing  the 
passage.  This  sight  pleased  Mr.  Adanson  so  much,  that  he  wished  it 
to  be  repeated ;  and,  to  try.  their  strength,  he  directed  a  full-grown 
negro  to  mount  the  smaller,  and  two  others  the  larger  of  the  birds. 
This  burden  did  not  seem  at  all  disproportioned  to  their  strength. 
At  first  they  went  at  a  tolerably  sharp  trot ;  but  when  they  became 
heated  a  little,  they  expanded  their  wings,  as  though  to  catch  the  wind 
and  moved  with  such  fleetness  that  they  scarcely  seemed  to  touch  the 
ground.  Most  people  have  seen  a  Partridge  run,  and  consequently 
they  must  know  that  no  man  is  able  to  keep  up  with  it :  and  it  is  easy 
to  imagine,  that  if  the  Partridge  had  a  longer  step,  its  speed  would  be 
considerably  augmented.  The  Ostrich  moves  like  the  Partridge,  witb 
this  advantage ;  and  the  two  birds  here  spoken  of  would  have  distanced 
the  fleetest  race-horses  that  ever  were  bred.  It  is  true,  they  would  not 
have  held  out  so  long  as  a  horse ;  but  they  would  undoubtedly  have 
been  able  to  go  over  a  given  short  space  in  less  time. 


THE  CASSOWARY. 

The  body  of  the  Cassowary  is  extremely  heavy,  and  its  wings  are 
so  short,  that  it  has  no  power  to  raise  itself  from  the  ground  in  flight. 
The  quills  of  which  the  wings  are  composed,  are  five  in  number ;  they 
are  strong,  distant  from  each  other,  and  without  barbs.  They  are,  in 
short,  so  many  spines ;  and  are  given  to  the  animals  as  weapons  of 
defence  against  its  enemies.  The  beak  is  about  five  inches  long, 
somewhat  curved,  and  of  a  very  hard  substance.  A  bony  protuberance 
covered  with  horn,  and  of  a  blackish  brown  color,  forms  on  the  top  of 
the  head  a  sort  of  helmet.  The  skin  of  the  head  and  neck  is  entirely 
naked,  and  is  of  a  fine  blue  color  above  and  red  below.  On  each  side 
of  the  front  of  the  neck,  hangs  a  long  light  blue  caruncle  or  wattle.  The 
body  is  covered  with  black  feathers,  which  at  a  little  distance,  have  the 
appearance  of  hair.  Those  on  the  hinder  part  of  the  back  are  of  such 
length,  as  entirely  to  conceal  the  tail.  The  thighs  are  each  about 
eighteen  inches  long,  and  are  covered  with  feathers  almost  to  the  knees. 
The  legs  are  remarkably  stout :  the  toes  of  each  foot  are  only  three  in 
number,  and  the  nail  of  each  internal  toe  is  about  twice  tl^o  length  of 
any  of  the  others. 

Like  the  Ostrich,  this  bird  is  not  very  delicate  in  its  taste.  It  will 
swallow  almost  any  thing  not  too  large  to  pass  down  its  throat,  that  is 
presented  to  it.  Some  writers  have  asserted,  that  the  Cassowary  will 
occasionally  swallow  even  burning  coals.  It  is  particularly  fond  of 
fruit,  and  of  the  eggs  of  poultry ;  but  it  is  not  able  to  eat  any  kind  of 
grain,  as  the  tongue  is  so  formed  as  to  have  no  power  of  guiding  this 
down  the  throat. 

A  Cassowary  now  kept  in  the  Menagerie  of  the  museum  at  Paris, 
devours  every  day  between  three  and  four  pounds  weight  of  bread, 
eix  or  seven  apples,  and  a  bunch  of  carrots.  In  summer,  it  drinks 
about  four  pints  of  water  in  the  day;  and  in  winter  somewhat  more, 


THE    CASSOWARY. 


299 


It  swallows  all  its  food  without  bruising  it.  The  bird  is  sometimes  ill 
tempered  and  mischievous;  is  much  irritated  when  any  person  ap- 
proaches it  of  a  dirty  or  ragged  appearance,  or  dressed  in  red  clothes ; 
and  frequently  attempts  to  strike  at  them  by  kicking  forward  with  its 
feet.  It  has  been  known  even  to  leap  out  of  its  enclosure,  and  to  tear 
the  legs  of  a  man  with  its  claws. 


Iliiii..  in! 


The  Cassowary  is  a  very  vigorous  and  powerful  bird.  Its  beak 
being,  in  proportion,  much  stronger  than  that  of  the  Ostrich,  it  has 
the  means  of  defending  itself  with  great  advantage,  and  of  easily 


300 


THE    APTERYX. 


pulling  down  and  breaking  in  pieces  almost  any  hard  substance.  It 
strikes,  in  a  very  dangerous  manner  with  its  feet,  either  behind  or 
before,  at  any  object  which  offends  it. 

In  a  wild  state  these  birds  lay  three  or  four  eggs  at  a  time,  and 
these  are  generally  of  a  greenish  or  greyish  color,  beautifully  spotted 
with  grass  green,  and  marked  towards  their  smaller  end  with  white. 
The  female  deposits  them  in  the  sand,  and,  after  having  covered  them 
over,  leaves  them  to  be  hatched  by  the  heat  of  the  sun  and  the 
atmosphere.  In  some  countries,  however,  and  under  some  circum- 
stances, Cassowaries  sit  upon  their  eggs  like  other  birds. 

Cassowaries  are  found  only  in  the  south-eastern  parts  of  Asia ;  that 
is,  in  the  peninsula  of  India  beyond  the  Ganges,  and  in  the  islands  of 
the  Indian  Archipelago  ;  but  they  are  not  very  numerous  in  any  of 
these  places.  The  deep  forests  of  the  island  of  Ceram,  along  the 
southern  coast  from  Ethiopia  almost  to  Kelemori,  contain,  however, 
great  numbers  of  them. 

THE   EMU. 

The  Emu  is  a  native  of  New  Holland,  and  neany  equals  the  Ostrich 
in  bulk,  its  height  being  between  five  and  six  feet.  Its  feathers  lie 
loosely  on  the  body,  and  its  wings  are  small  and  hardly  to  be  dis- 
tinguished. The  skin  of  the  Emu  furnishes  a  bright  and  clear  oil,  ou 
which  account  it  is  eagerly  sought  after. 


THE   APTERYX. 

This  extraordinary  bird,  whose  name  is  derived  from  tne  apparent 
absence  of  wings,  those  mem- 
bers being  merely  rudimentary, 
inhabits  the  island^  of  New 
Zealand.  It  conceals  itself 
among  the  densest  fern,  arid 
when  hunted  by  dogs,  it  hastens 
to  seek  a  refuge  among  rocks 
and  in  the  chambers  which  it 
excavates  in  the  earth.  In  these 
chambers  its  nest  is  made  and 
the  eggs  laid.  The  natives  hunt 
it  with  great  eagerness,  as  the 
skin  is  used  for  the  dresses  of  chiefs,  who  are  so  tenacious  of  them 
that  they  can  hardly  be  persuaded  to  part  with  a  single  skin.  The 
feathers  are  employed  to  make  artificial  flies.  When  attacked  it 
defends  itself  by  rapid  and  vigorous  strokes  with  its  powerful  feet. 

Dr.  Shaw  first  brought  this  bird  before  the  notice  of  the  public,  but 
for  many  years  naturalists  considered  it  an  extinct  species.  Latterly 
the  question  has  been  set  at  rest,  not  only  by  the  researches  of  Gould 
and  other  naturalists,  but  by  the  arrival  in  England  of  several  skins 


THJ5   APTEKTX. 


THE   DODO.  3 


and  one  living  specimen,  now  in  the  Zoological  Gardens.  This  bird 
has  a  singular  habit  of  of  resting  with  the  tip  of  its  bill  placed  on 
the  ground.  The  nostrils  of  the  Apteryx  are  placed  almost  at  the 
very  extremity  of  the  bill.  The  aborigines  of  New  Zealand  give  it  the 
name  of  Kiwi  Kiwi.  The  food  of  the  bird  consists  of  snails,  insects 
and  worms,  which  latter  creatures  it  obtains  by  striking  the  ground 
with  its  feet,  and  seizing  them  on  their  appearance  at  the  surface. 

A  small  but  well  preserved  skin  is  mounted  in  the  Ashmolean 
Museum,  Oxford,  in  which  the  rudimentary  wings  are  very  well 
shown.  An  entire  skeleton  is  in  the  museum  of  the  College  of  Sur 
geons,  and  other  specimens  are  to  be  seen  in  various  collections 


THE    DODO. 

This  singular  bird,  which  is  supposed  to  be  extinct,  was  discovered 
at  the  Mauritius  by  the  early  voyagers.  For 
many  years  their  accounts  of  the  Dodors  were 
supposed  to  be  mere  .flights  of  fancy.  Lately, 
however,  the  discovery  of  several  relics  of  this 
bird  in  various  countries  has  set  the  question  of 
its  existence  at  rest,  but  not  the  question  of  the 
proper  position  of  the  bird.  Some  think  it 
belongs  to  the  Pigeons,  and  some  to  the  ostriches. 
^n  tne  Ashmolean  Museum  at  Oxford  are  a  head 
and  foot  of  the  Dodo,  sole  remnants  of  a  perfect 
specimen  known  to  have  existed  in  1700;  and 
in  the  same  place,  in  the  year  1847,  during  the 
meeting  of  the  British  Association,  were  guttered 
together  the  whole  of  the  existing  remains  from  every  country. 

In  the  travels  of  Sir  T. Hubert,  in  the  year  1627,  are  several  accounts. 
From  the  work  of  this  traveller,  whose  amusement  it  was  to  re-write 
his  travels,  each  time  completely  changing  the  language  but  retaining 
the  matter,  an  extract  is  taken. 

"  The  Dodo,  a  bird  the  Dutch  call  Walghvogel,  or  Dod'Eersen ;  her 
body  is  round  and  fat,  which  occasions  the  slow  pace,  or  that  her 
corpulencie,  and  so  great  as  few  of  them  weigh  less  than  fifty  pound  : 
meat  it  is  with  sorae,  but  better  to  the  eye  than  stomach,  such  as  only 
a  strong  appetite  can  vanquish.  ..  It  is  of  a  melancholy  visage,  as 
sensible  of  nature's  injury  in  framing  so  massie  a  body  to  be  directed 
by  complimental  wings,  such,  indeed,  as  are  unable  to  hoise  her  from 
the  ground,  serving  only  to  rank  her  among  birds.  Her  traine,  three 
small  plumes,  short  and  improportionable,  her  legs  suiting  to  her  body, 
her  pounces  sharpe,  her  appetite  strong  and  greedy.  Stones  and  iron 
arc  digested  ;  which  description  will  better  be  conceived  in  her  repre- 
sentation." The  "  representation"  here  alluded  to  is  that  of  a  globular- 
shaped  bird,  perfectly  naked,  with  the  exception  of  three  separate 
feathers  on  the  tail,  and  a  few  feathers  on  the  wing.  The  expression 
of  lugubrious  wisdom  on  the  countenance  is  irresistibly  ludicrous. 
It ' "' '1  within  the  range  of  possibility  that  this  bird  may  again  ba 


302 


THE    DODO. 


discovered,  a?  at  present  but  little  of  Madagascar  nas  been  searched 
and  in  that  island,  if  anywhere,  it  will  be  found. 

Another  bird,  the  gigantic  Dinornis,  has  been  extirpated  from  the 
face  of  the  earth  by  man.  This  enormous  bird,  whose  leg  is  rather 
larger  than  that  of  a  fossil  Elk,  and  whose  head  could  not  have  been  less 


than  ten  feet  and  a  half  from  the  ground,  was  at  one  time  an  inhabitant 
of  New  Zealand,  but  has  been  extirpated  for  many  years,  a  fact  likely 
to  befal  the  defenceless  Apteryx.  In  the  Anatomical  Museum  at  Ox- 
ford is  a  cast  of  a  leg  of  the  Dinornis,  standing  side  by  side  with  that  of 
an  Ostrich.  The  leg  of  the  Ostrich  is  quite  insignificant. 


WADERS. 


OF  THE  HERON  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

IN  the  Waders  (or  Grallaz  of  Linnaeus)  the^ill  is  somewhat  cylin 
drical.  The  thighs  are  feathered  only  half-way  to  the  knees  ;  and  the 
legs  are  longish,  and  formed  for  walking. 

The  characters  of  the  tribe  are :  a  long,  strong,  and  sharp- pointed 
bill ;  linear  nostrils,  and  pointed  tongue :  toes  connected  by  a  mem- 
brane  as  far  as  the  first  joint :  and  the  middle  claw,  in  some  cf  the 
species,  pectinated, 

The  different  kinds  of  Herons  are  very  numerous,  amounting  in  the 
whole  to  nearly  a  hundred.  They  are  found  in  various  parts  of  the 
world,  but  chiefly  in  temperate  and  hot  climates.  Several  of  them  are 
migratory.  They  have  long  feet  and  necks,  and  live  almost  wholly  on 
amphibious  animals  and  fishes. 

THE   COMMON  CRANE. 

This  is  a  large  bird,  measuring  upwards  of  five  feet  in  letij/ili.  The 
bill  is  more  than  four  inches  long.  The  plumage  is,  in  general,  ash- 
colored  :  but  the  forehead  is  black ;  and  the  sides  of  the  head,  behind 
the  eyes,  and  the  hind  part  of  the  neck,  are  white ;  on  the  upper  part 
of  the  neck  there  is  a  bare  ash -colored  space  of  two  inches  ;  and,  above 
this,  the  skin  is  naked  and  red,  with  a  few  scattered  hairs.  Some  parts 
about  the  wings  are  blackish.  Erom  the  pinion  of  each  wing  springs 
an  elegant  tuft  of  loose  feathers,  curled  at  the  ends  ;  which  can  be  erec- 
ted at  will,  but  which  in  a  quiescent  state  hangs  over  and  covers  the 
tail.  The  legs  are  black. 

These  birds  are  seen  in  numerous  flocks  in  all  the  northern  parts 
of  Europe.  We  are  told  that  they  make  their  nests  in  marshes,  and 
lay  two  bluish  eggs.  They  feed  on  reptiles  of  all  kinds,  and  on  some 
species  of  vegetables ;  while  corn  is  green,  they  are  said  to  make  such 
havoc  in  the  fields  as  to  ruin  the  farmers,  where  ever  the  flocks  alight. 

They  are  migratory;  returning  northward  in  the  spring,  (where 
they  generally  make  choice  of  the  places  which  they  occupied  dur- 
ing the  preceding  season,)  and  in  the  winter  inhabiting  the  warmer 
regions  of  Egypt  and  India.  They  fly  very  high,  and  arrange  them- 
selves in  the  form  of  a  triangle,  the  better  to  cleave  the  air.  When 
the  wind  freshens,  and  threatens  to  break  their  ranks,  they  collect 
their  force  into  a  circle;  and  they  adopt  the  same  disposition  when 
attacked  by  powerful  birds  of  prey.  Their  migratory  voyages  are 
chiefly  performed  in  the  night;  but  their  louu  screams  betray  their 
course.  During  these  nocturnal  expeditions  the  leader  frequently 
sails,  in  order  to  rally  his  forces,  and  to  point  out  the  track:  and  th< 

303 


304  TIIE   DEMOISELLE   CRANE. 

cry  is  repeated  by  the  flock,  each  answering,  to  give  notice  that  it  fol 
Ic  vs  and  keeps  its  rank.  The  flight  of  the  Crane  is  always  supported 
uniformly,  though  it  is  marked  by  different  inflections:  and  these 
variations  have  been  observed  to  indicate  a  change  of  weather. 

When  the  Cranes  are  assembled  on  the  ground,  they  are  said  U 
pet  guards  during  the  night;  and  the  circumspection  of  these  bii^a 
has  even  beeii  consecrated  in  ancient  hieroglyphics,  as  symbols  of 
vigilance. 

According  to  Kolben,  Cranes  arc  often  observed  in  large  flocks  in 
the  marshes  about  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  lie  says,  that  he  never  saw 
a  flock  of  them  on  the  ground,  which  had  not  some  birds  placed  ap- 
parently as  sentinels,  on  watch  while  the  others  were  feeding.  These 
sentinels  stand  on  one  leg;  and,  at  intervals,  stretch  out  their  necks, 
as  if  to  observe  that  all  is  safe.  When  notice  of  danger  is  given,  the 
whole  flock  rise  on  wing  and  fly  away 

THE   DEMOISELLE   CRANE. 

This  bird  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  the  considerable  idea  that  it 
appears  to  have  respecting  the  beauty  of  its  own  person.  Its  deport- 
ment is  very  singular,  and  at  times  even  ludicrous.  Whenever  it 
lakes  it  into  its  head  to  be  ridiculous,  it  does  so  most  effectually,  and 
ailoctedly  also.  It  moves  about  with  a  consequential  air,  hanging 

its  head  first  on  one  side  and  then 
on  tlie  other.  It  then  will  run  some 
twenty  or  thirty  yards,  treading  only 
on  the  tips  of  its  toes,  as  if  it  wore 
white  satin  shoes,  and  were  trying  to 
pick  its  way  over  a  very  dirty  road. 
Then  it  will  have  a  little  dance  all  to 
itself,  and  suddenly  stand  still  again 
quite  grave  and  composed,  as  if  it  had 
l>een  doing  nothing  at  all.  From  these 
habits,  cynical  naturalists  have  named 

in  the  Demoiselle.  If  is  ratncr  *  t{iU 
bird,  being  between  three  and  four 

THE  DCKOtMUl  CRAXE.  &*&    \U    height. 

THE   WHITE  STORK. 

The  length  of  the  White  Stork  is  about  three  feet.  The  bill  is  nearly 
eight  inches  long,  and  of  a  fine  red  color.  The  plumage  is  wholly 
white;  except  the  orbits  of  the  eyes,  which  are  bare  and  blackish: 
some  of  the  feathers  on  the  side  of  the  back  and  on  the  wings  are  black. 
The  skin,  the  legs,  and  the  bare  part  of  the  thighs,  are  red. 

The  White  Storks  are  semi-domestic  birds,  haunting  towns  and 
cities;  and,  in  many  places,  stalking  unconcernedly  about  the  streets, 
in  search  of  offal  and  other  food.  They  remove  noxious  filth,  and 
clear  the  fields  of  serpents  and  reptiles.  On  this  account  they  are  pro- 
tected in  Holland,  and  are  held  in  high  veneration  by  the  Mahome- 
dans. 


THE   STORK. 


305 


Bellonious  informs  us  that  "Storks-vvisit  Egypt  in  such  abundance 
that  the  fields  and  meadows  are  white  with  them.  Yet  the  Egyptians 
are  not  displeased  with  this  sight;  as  Frogs  are  there  generated  in 
euch  numbers,  that  d.d  not  the  Storks  devour  them,  they  would  over- 
run every  thing.  They  also  catch  and  eat  serpents.  Between  Belba 
and  Gaza,  the  fields  of  Palestine  are  often  rendered  desert  on  account 
of  the  abundance  of  mice  and  rats;  and,  were  these  not  destroyed, 
the  inhabitants  could  have  no  harvest." 

The  disposition  of  the  Stork  is  mild  and  placid.   This  bird  is  easily 
vamed;  and  may  be  trained  to  reside  in  gardens,  which  it  will  clear 


306  THE    WHITE  STORK. 

of  insects  and  reptiles.  It  has  a  grave  air,  and  a  mournful  visage 
yet,  when  roused  by  example,  it  exhibits  a  certain  degree  of  gaiety; 
for  it  joins  in  the  frolics  of  children,  hopping  about  and  playing  with 
them :  "  In  a  garden  (says  Dr.  Hermann)  where  the  children  were 
playing  at  hide-and-seek,  I  saw  a  tame  Stork  join  the  party;  run  its 
turn  when  touched;  and  distinguish  the  child  whose  turn  it  was  to 
pursue  the  rest,  so  well,  as,  along  with  the  others,  to  be  on  its  guard." 

To  the  Stork  the  ancients  ascribed  many  of  the  moral  virtues ;  at 
temperance,  conjugal  fidelity,  and  filial  and  paternal  piety.  The 
manners  of  this  bird  are  sucn  as  were  likely  to  attract  peculiar  atten- 
tion. It  bestows  much  time  and  care  on  the  education  of  its  offspring, 
and  does  not  leave  them  till  they  have  strength  sufficient  for  their 
own  support  and  defence.  When  they  begin  to  flutter  out  of  the 
nest,  the  mother  bears  them  on  her  wings ;  she  protects  them  from 
danger,  and  will  some  times  perish  rather  than  forsake  them.  A 
celebrated  story  is  current  in  Holland,  that,  when  the  city  of  Delft 
was  on  fire,  a  female  Stork  in  vain  attempted  several  times  to  carry 
off  her  young  ones;  and,  finding  she  was  unable  to  effect  their  escape, 
suffered,  herself  to  be  burned  with  them. 

The  following  anecdote  affords  a  singular  instance  of  sagacity  in 
this  bird: — "A  wild  Stork  was  brought  by  a  farmer,  who  resided 
near  Hamburgh,  into  his  poultry-yard,  to  be  the  companion  of  a  tamo 
one  that  he  had  long  kept  there;  but  the  tame  Stork,  disliking  a 
rival,  fell  upon  the  poor  stranger,  and  beat  him  so  unmercifully  that 
he  was  compelled  to  take  wing,  and  with  some  difficulty  escaped. 
About  four  months  afterwards,  however,  he  returned  to  the  poultry- 
yard,  recovered  of  his  wounds,  and  attended  by  three  other  Storks 
who  no  sooner  alighted  than  they  all  together  fell  upon  the  tame 
Stork  and  killed  him." 

Storks  are  birds  of  passage,  and  observe  great  exactness  in  the 
time  of  their  autumnal  departure  from  Europe  to  more  favorite  cli- 
mates. They  pass  a  second  summer  in  i]gypt  and  the  marshes  of 
Barbary.  In  the  former  country  they  pair;  again  lay,  ami  .educate 
a  second  brood.  Before  each  of  their  migrations,  they  rendezvous 
in  amazing  numbers.  They  are  for  a  while  much  in  motion  among 
themselves;  and  after  making  several  short  excursions,  as  if  to  try 
their  wings,  they  suddenly  take  flight  with  great  silence. 

These  birds  are  seldom  seen  further  north  than  Sweden;  and, 
though  they  have  scarcely  ever  been  found  in  England,  they  are 
so  common  in  Holland  as  to  build  on  the  tops  of  the  houses,  where 
even  the  inhabitants  provide  boxes  for  them  to  make  their  nests  in. 
Storks  are  also  common  at  Aleppo;  and  are  found  in  great  numbers  at 
Seville,  in  Spain.  At  Bagdad,  hundreds  of  their  nests  are  seen  about 
Jie  houses,  walls,  and  trees;  and  at  Persepolis,  in  Persia,  the  remaina 
of  the  pillars  serve  them  for  nesting  places,  "every  pillar  having  a 
nest  upon  it." 

During  their  migrations  Storks  are  observed  in  vast  flocks.  Dr. 
Shaw  saw  three  flights  of  them  leaving  Egypt,  and  passing  over  Mount 
Curtnel,  each  half  a  mile  in  width:  arid  he  says  they  were  three  hours 
in  passing  over. 


'308 


THE  CHAJA. 


THE   CHAJA. 

The  Chaja,  or  Crested  Screamer,  is  about  the  size  of  a  Heron :  the 
bill  is  short,  bent  like  that  of  a  bird  of  prey,  and  of  a  yellowish 
brown :  the  irides  are  gold-colored ;  on  the  forehead,  just  above  the 
bill,  is  a  tuft  of  black  feathers,  variagated  with  ash-color ;  the  head, 
neck,  and  body  are  grey,  mixed  with  brown;  the  wings  are  furnished 
with  spurs;  the  legs  pretty  long,  of  a  dull  yellow;  the  hind  toe  placed 
high  up,  so  as  not  to  touch  the  ground  in  walking. 


THE    CUAUA   AND  ITS    >OUN<J. 


THE   COMMON   HERON. 


Tho  Common  Heron  is  about  three  feet  three  inches  in  length.  The 
bill  is  six  inches  long,  and  of  a  dusky  color.  The  feathers  of  the  head 
are  long,  and  form  an  elegant  crest.  The  iieck  is  white.  The  general 
color  of  the  plumage  is  blue  gray. 


THE   COMMON   HERON. 


309 


THE  GIANT  HERON. 


This  is  an  extremely  formidable  enemy  to  the  scaly  tribes.  There 
is,  in  Tresh  waters,  scarcely  a  fish,  however  large,  that  the  Heron  will 
not  strike  at  and  wound,  though  unable  to  carry  it  oft':  but  the 
smaller  fry  are  his  chief  subsistence;  these,  pursued  by  their  larger 
fellows  of  the  deep,  are  compelled  to  take  refuge  in  shallow  waters, 
where  they  find  the  Heron  a  still  more  formidable  enemy.  His 
method  is  to  wade  as  far  as  he  can  go  into  the  water,  and  there 
patiently  to  await  the  approach  of  his  prey  ;  into  which,  when  it  comes 
within  his  sight,  he  darts  his-  bill  with  inevitable  aim.  Willughby 
aays  he  has  seen  a  Heron  that  had  in  his  stomach  no  fewer  than 
seventeen  Carp.  Some  gentlemen  who  kept  tame  Herons,  were 
desirous  of  ascertaining  what  average  quantity  one  of  these 


THE   COMMON   HERON. 

would  devour.  They  consequently  put  several  small  Roach  and  Daee 
into  a  tub ;  and  the  Heron,  one  day  with  another,  ate  fifty  in  a  day. 
Thus  a  single  Heron  is  able  to  destroy  nine  thousand  Carp  in  half  a 
year. 

The  Heron,  though  he  usually  takes  his  prey  by  wading,  frequently 
catches  it  while  on  wing;  but  this  is  only 
in  shallow  waters,  where  he  is  able  to 
dart  with  more  certainty  than  in  the 
deeps ;  for  in  this  case,  though  the  fish,  at 
the  first  sight  of  its  enemy,  descends,  yet 
the  Heron,  with  its  long  bill  and  legs, 
instantly  pins  it  to  the  bottom,  and  thus 
seizes  it  securely.  In  this  manner,  after 
having  been  seen  with  its  neck  for  above  a 
minute  under  water,  he  will  rise  on  wing 
with  a  Trout  or  an  Eel  struggling  in  his  bill. 
The  greedy  bird,  however,  flies  to  the  shore,  HERO*. 

swallows  it,  and  returns  to  his  fishing. 

Heron-hawking  was  formerly  a  favorite  diversion ;  and  a  penalty  of 
twenty  shillings  was  incurred  by  any  person  taking  the  eggs  of  this 
bird.  Its  flesh  was  also  in  former  times  much  esteemed,  being  valued 
at  a  rate  equal  with  that  of  the  Peacock. 

In  their  breeding  season  the  Herons  unite  together  in  large 
societies,  and  build  in  the  highest  trees.  Sometimes  as  many  as  eighty 
nests  have  been  seen  in  one  tree.  The  nest  is  made  of  sticks,  and 
lined  with  a  few  rushes  and  wool,  or  with  feathers.  The  eggs  are  four 
or  five  in  number,  and  of  a  pale-green  color. 

If  taken  young,  these  birds  may  be  tamed  ;  but  the  old  birds,  when 
captured,  soon  pine  away,  refusing  every  kind  of  nourishment. 

The  different  parts  of  the  body  of  the  Heron  are  admirably  adapted 
to  its  mode  of  life.  This  bird  has  long  legs,  for  the  purpose  of  wading; 
a  long  neck,  answerable  to  these,  to  reach  its  prey  in  the  water ;  and 
a  wide  throat  to  swallow  it.  Its  toes  are  long,  and  armed  with  strong, 
hooked  talons ;  one  of  which  is  serrated  on  the  edge,  the  better  to 
retain  the  fish.  The  bill  is  long  and  sharp,  having  towards  the  point 
serratures,  which  stand  backward  ;  these,  after  the  prey  is  struck,  act 
like  the  barbs  of  a  fish-hook,  in  detaining  it  till  the  bird  has  time  to 
seize  it  with  its  claws.  Its  broad,  large,  and  concave  wings,  are  of 
great  use  in  enabling  it  to  carry  its  load  to  the  nest,  which  is  some- 
times at  a  great  distance.  Dr.  Derham  tells  us,  that  he  has  seen  lying 
scattered  under  the  trees  of  a  large  heronry,  fishes  many  inches  in 
length,  which  must  have  been  conveyed  by  the  birds  from  the  distance 
of  several  miles;  and  D'  Acre  Barret,  Esq.,  the  owner  of  this  heronry, 
gaw  a  large  Eel  that  had  been  conveyed  thither  by  one  of  them,  not- 
withstanding the  inconvenience  that  it  must  have  experienced  from 
the  fish  writhing  and  twisting  about. 

The  body  of  the  Heron  is  very  small,  and  always  lean  ;  and  the  skin  ia 
said  to  be  scarcely  thicker  than  what  is  called  goldbeater's  skin.  It  is 
probable  that  this  bird  is  capable  of  long  abstinence  ;  as  its  usual  foodt 
which  consists  of  fish  and  reptiles,  cannot  at  all  times  be  had. 


THE  GREAT  HERON.  311 


THE  GREAT  HERON. 

The  Great  Heron  of  America,  nowhere  numerous,  may  be  consid- 
ered as  a  constant  inhabitant  of  the  Atlantic  States,  from  New  York  to 
East  Florida.  As  a  rare  visitor,  it  has  been  found  even  as  far  north  as 
Hudson's  Bay,  and  passes  the  breeding  season  in  small  numbers  along 
the  coasts  of  all  the  New  England  States,  and  the  adjoining  parts 
of  British  America.  Mr.  Say  also  observed  this  species  at  Pern- 
bino,  in  the  forty-ninth  parallel.  Ancient  natural  heronries  of 
this  species  occur  in  the  deep  maritime  swamps  of  North  and 
South  Carolina:  similar  associations  for  breeding  exist  also  in  tho 
lower  parts  of  New  Jersey.  Their  favorite  and  long  frequented 
resorts  are  usually  dark  and  enswamped  solitudes  or  boggy  lakes, 
grown  up  with  tall  cedars,  and  entangled  with  an  undergrowth  of 
bushes  and  Kalmia  laurels.  These  recesses  defy  the  reclaiming  hand 
of  cultivation,  and  present  the  same  gloomy  and  haggard  landscape 
they  did  to  the  aborgines  of  the  forest,  who,  if  they  existed,  mightj 
still  pursue  through  the  tangled  mazes  of  these  dismal  swamps,  the 
retreating  bear,  and  timorous  deer.  From  the  bosom  of  these  choked) 
lakes,  and  arising  out  of  the  dark  and  pitchy  bog,  maybe  seen  large 
clumps  of  the  tall  Cypress  (Cupressus  disticha^  like  the  innumerable 
connecting  columns  of  the  shady  mangrove,  for  sixty  or  more  feet 
rising  without  a  branch,  and  their  spreading  tops,  blending  together,, 
form  a  canopy  so  dense  as  almost  to  exclude  the  light  from  beneath 
their  branches.  In  the  tops  of  the  tallest  of  these  trees,  the  warv 
Herons,  associated  to  the  number  of  ten  or  fifteen  pairs,  construct 
their  nests,  each  one  in  the  top  of  a  single  tree  ;  these  are  large,  formed 
of  coarse  sticks,  and  merely  lined  with  smaller  twigs.  The  eggs, 
generally  four,  are  somewhat  larger  than  those  of  the  lien,  of  a  light 
greenish  blue,  and  destitute  of  spots.  The  young  are  seen  abroad 
about  the  middle  of  May,  and  become  extremely  fat  and  full  grown 
before  they  make  any  effective  attempts  to  fly.  They  raise  but  a 
single  brood  ;  and  when  disturbed  at  their  eyries,  fly  over  the  spot, 
sometimes  honking  almost  like  a  goose,  and  at  others  uttering  a 
loud,  hollow,  and  guttural  grunt. 

Fish  is  the  principal  food  of  the  Great  Heron,  and  for  this  purpose 
like  an  experienced  angler,  he  often  waits  for  that  condition  of  the 
tide,  which  best  suits  his  experience  and  instinct.  At  such  times,  they 
are  seen  slowly  sailing  out  from  their  inland  breeding  haunts,  during 
the  most  silent  and  cool  period  of  the  summer's  day,  selecting  usually, 
such  shallow  inlets  as  the  ebbing  tide  leaves  bare,  or  accessible  to  his 
watchful  and  patient  mode  of  prowling ;  here,  wading  to  the  knees, 
lie  stands  motionless  amidst  the  timorous  fry,  till  some  victim  coming 
within  the  compass  of  his  wily  range,  is  as  instantly  seized  by  the 
powerful  bill  of  the  Heron,  as  if  it  were  the  balanced  poniard  of  the 
assassin,  or  the  unerring  pounce  of  the  Osprey.  If  large,  the  fish  ia 
beaten  to  death,  and  commonly  swallowed  with  the  head  descending 
as  if  to  avoid  any  obstacle  arising  from  the  reversion  of  the  fins  01 


212 


THE   NIGHT   HERON. 


any' hard  external  processes.  On  land,  our  Heron  has  also  his  fare, 
as  he  is  no  less  a  successful  angler  than  a  mouser,  and  renders  an 
important  service  to  the  farmer,  in  the  destruction  he  makes  among 
most  of  the  reptiles  and  meadow  shrews.  Grasshoppers,  other  large 
insects,  and  particularly  Dragon-flies,  he  is  very  expert  at  striking, 
and  occasionally  feeds  upon  the  seeds  of  the  pond  lilies,  contiguous  to 
his  usual  haunts.  Our  species,  in  all  probability,  as  well  as  the  Eu- 
ropean Heron,  at  times,  also  preys  upon  young  birds,  which  may  be 
accidentally  straggling  near  their  solitary  retreats.  The  foreign 
kind  has  been  known  to  swallow  young  snipes,  and  other  birds, 
when  they  happen  to  come  conveniently  within  his  reach. 


THE   QUA   BIRD,    OR  AMERICAN   NIGHT  HERON. 

The  Great  Night  Heron  of  America,  extends  its  migrations  pro- 
bably to  the  northern  and  eastern  extremities  of  the  United  States, 
but  is  wholly  unknown  in  the  high  boreal  regions  of  the  continent. 
In  the  winter  it  proceeds  as  far  south  as  the  tropics,  having  been  seen 
in  the  marshes  of  Cayenne,  and  their  breeding  stations  are  known  to 
extend  from  New  Orleans  to  Massachusetts.  They  arrive  in  Pennsyl- 
vania early  in  the  month  of  April,  and  soon  take  possession  of  their 
ancient  nurseries,  which  are  usually,  (in  the  Middle  and  Southern 
States,)  the  most  solitary  and  deeply  shaded  part  of  a  cedar  swamp 
or  some  inundated  and  almost  inaccesible  grove  of  swamp  oaks.  In 
these  places,  or  some  contiguous  part  of  the  forest,  near  a  pond  or 
stream,  the  timorous  and  watchful  flock  pass  away  the  day,  until  the 
commencement  of  twilight,  when  the  calls  of  hunger,  and  the  coolness 

of  evening  arouse 
the  dosing  throng 
into  life  and  ac- 
tivity. At  this 
time,  high  in  the 
air,  the  parent 
birds  are  seen 
sallying  forth  to- 
wards the  neigh- 
boring marshes 
and  strand  of  the 
sea,  in  quest  of 
food,  for  them-, 
selves  and  their 
young;  as  tley 
thus  proceed  in  a 
marshalled  rank, 
at  intervals  they 
utter  a  sort  of 
recognition  call, 
like  the  guttural 


JINHT   BESOM. 


THE  NIGHT  HERON — THE  GREEN  HERON.       313 

sound  of  the  syllable  'kwah,  uttered  in  so  hollow  and  sepulchral 
a  tone,  as  almost  to  resemble  the  retchings  of  a  vomiting  person 
These  venerable  eyries  of  the  Kwah  Birds,  have  been  occupied  from 
the  remotest  period  of  time,  by  about  eighty  to  a  hundred  pairs. 
When  their  ancient  trees  were  levelled  by  the  axe,  they  have  been 
known  to  remove  merely  to  some  other  quarter  of  the  same  swai*p, 
and  it  is  only  when  they  have  been  long  teased  and  plundered  that 
they  are  ever  known  to  abandon  their  ancient  stations.  Their  great' 
est  natural  enemy  is  the  Crow,  and  according  to  the  relation  of 
Wilson,  one  of  these  heronries,  near  Thompson's  Point,  on  the  banks 
of  the  Delaware,  was  at  length  entirely  abandoned,  through  the 
persecution  of  these  sable  enemies.  Several  breeding  haunts  of  the 
Kwah  Birds  occur  among  the  red  cedar  groves,  on  the  sea  beach  of 
Cape  May;  in  these  places  they  also  admit  the  association  of  the  Little 
Egret,  the  Green  Bittern,  and  the  Blue  Heron.  In  a  very  secluded 
and  marshy  island,  in  Fresh  Pond,  near  Boston,  there  likewise  exista 
one  of  these  ancient  heronries;  and  though  the  birds  have  been  fre- 
quently robbed  of  their  eggs,  in  great  numbers,  by  mischievous  boys, 
they  still  lay  again  immediately  after,  and  usually  succeed  in  raising 
a  sufficient  brood.  The  nests,  always  in  trees,  are  composed  of  twigs, 
slightly  interlaced,  more  shallow  and  slovenly  than  those  of  the  Crow, 
and  though  often  one,  sometimes  as  many  as  two  or  three  nests  a^e 
built  in  the  same  tree.  The  eggs  about  four,  are  as  large  as  those 
of  the  common  hen,  and  of  a  pale  greenish  blue  color.  The  marsh  is 
usually  whitened  by  the  excrements  of  these  birds;  and  the  fragments 
of  broken  egg  shells,  old  nests,  and  small  fish,  which  they  have  dropped 
while  feeding  their  young,  give  a  characteristic  picture  of  the  sloven- 
ly, indolent,  and  voracious  character  of  the  occupants  of  these  eyries, 

THE   GREEN    HEROX. 

The  Green  Bittern  is  the  most  common  species  in  the  United  States. 

In  common  with  other  species,  whose  habits  are  principally  nocturnal 
the  Green  Bittern  seeks  out  the  gloomy  retreat  of  the  woody  swamp, 
the  undrainable  bog,  and  the  sedgy  marsh.  He  is  also  a  common 
hermit,  on  the  inundated,  dark  willow  and  alder  shaded  banks  of 
sluggish  streams,  and  brushy  ponds,  where  he  not  only  often  associates 
with  the  kindred  Kwah  Birds  and  Great  Herons,  but  frequently  with 
the  more  petulant  herd  of  chattering  Blackbirds.  When  surprised  or 
alarmed,  he  rises  in  a  hurried  manner,  uttering  a  hollow  guttural 
scream,  and  a  '&'«;,  '&'«;,  '&'w,  but  does  not  fly  far,  being  very  sedentary 
and  soon  alighting  on  some  stump  or  tree,  looks  round  with  an 
outstretched  neck,  and  balancing  himself  for  further  retreat,  frequently 
jets  his  tail.  He  sometimes  flies  high,  with  his  neck  reclining,  and 
his  legs  extended,- flapping  his  wings,  and  proceeding  with  considerable 
expedition.  He  is  also  the  least  shy,  of  all  our  species,  as  well  as  the 
most  numerous  and  widely  dispersed,  being  seen  far  inland,  even  on 
the  banks  of  the  Missouri,  nearly  to  the  river  Platte,  and  frequently  near 
all  the  maritime  marshes,  and  near  ponds,  and  streams  in  general 
HQ  ia  also  particularly  attracted  by  artificial  ponds  for  fish,  not  refrain- 


814 


THE   BOAT-BILL. 


ing  even  to  visit  gardens  and  domestic  premises,  which  any  pros- 
pect  of  fare  may  offer.  He  is,  at  the  same  time,  perhaps  as  much  in 
quest  of  the  natural  enemy  of  the  fish,  the  frog,  as  of  the  legitimate 
tenants  of  the  pond.  These  bold  and  intrusive  visits  are  commonly 
made  early  in  the  morning,  or  towards  twilight,  and  he  not  unfrequently 
when  pressed  by  hunger,  or  after  ill  success,  turns  out  to  hunt  his  fare 
by  day,  as  well  as  dusk,  and,  at  such  times,  collects  various  Iarva3, 
paiticalarly  those  of  the  Dragon-fly,  with  Grasshoppers,  and  different 
kinds  of  insects.  At  other  times  he  preys  upon  small  fish,  Crabs  and 
Frogs,  for  which  he  often  lies  patiently  in  wait  till  they  reappear  from 
their  hiding  places  in  the  water  or  mud,  and  on  being  transfixed  and 
caught,  which  is  effected  with  great  dexterity,  they  are  commonly 
beaten  to  death,  if  large,  and  afterwards  swallowed  &»  leisure. 


THB  BOAT-BILL. 

This  genus  of  the  family  Arcleidal  (Heron -like  birds,)  would  approach 

quite  closely,  as  Cu- 
vier  observes,  to  the 
Herons,  in  regard  to 
their  bill  and  the  kind 
of  food  which  it  indi- 
cates, were  it  not  for 
the  extraordinary 
form  of  that  organ, 
which  is  nevertheless, 
when  closely  observ- 
ed the  bill  of  a  Heron 
or  a  Bittern,  very 
much  flattened  out. 
This  bill  is  of  an  oval 
form,  longer  than  tho 
head,  very  much  de- 
pressed, and  not  un- 
like the  bowls  of  two 
spoons  placed  one 
upon  another,  with 
the  rims  in  contact. 
The  common  Boat-bill 
is  about  the  size  of  a 
domestic  hen.  In  the 
male  the  forehead  and 
upper  parts  of  the 
neck  and  breast,  are 
dirty  white ;  the  back 
and  lower  part  of  the 
belly  rusty-reddish ; 
the  bill  is  black,  and  the  legs  and  feet  are  brown.  From  tho  head 
deperds  a  long  crest  of  black  feathers,  falling  backwards.  The  female 


THE   GIGANTIC    CRANE.  315 

has  the  top  of  the  head  black,  without  the  elongated  crest ;  the  back 
and  the  belly  rusty-reddish  ;  the  wings  grey ;  the  forehead  and  rest  of 
the  plumage  white;  and  the  bill,  legs,  and  feet  brown. 


THE   GIGANTIC   CRANE. 

Tliis  is  a  large  species,  measuring  from  tip  to  tip  of  the  wings  nearly 
fifteen  feet.  The  bill  is  of  vast  size,  somewhat  triangular,  and  sixteen 
inches  round  at  the  base.  The  head  and  neck  are  naked,  except  a  few 
struggling  curled  hairs.  The  feathers  of  the  back  and  wings  are  of  a 
bluish  ash-color,  and  very  stout :  those  of  the  breast  are  long.  The 
craw  hangs  down  the  fore  part  of  the  neck  like  a  pouch.  The  belly  is 
covered  with  a  dirty-white  down ;  and  the  upper  part  of  the  back  and 
shoulders  is  surrounded  with  the  same.  The  legs  and  half  the  thighs 
are  naked ;  and  the  naked  parts  are  nearly  three  feet  in  length. 

The  Gigantic  Crane,  sometimes  called  the  Adjutant,  is  an  inhabitant 
of  Bengal  and  Calcutta,  and  is  sometimes  found  on  the  coast  of  Guinea. 
It  arrives  in  the  interior  parts  of  Bengal  before  the  period  of  rains,  and 
retires  as  soon  as  the  dry  season  commences.  Its  aspect  is  filthy  and 
disgusting ;  yet  it  is  an  extremely  useful  bird,  in  consequence  of  the 
snakes,  noxious  reptiles  and  insects  which  it  devours.  It  seems  to 
finish  the  work  that  is  begun  by  the  jackal  and  vulture:  these  clear 
away  the  flesh  of  animals,  and  the  Gigantic  Cranes  remove  the  bones 
by  swallowing  them  entire.  They  sometimes  feed  on  fish  ;  and  one  of 
them  will  devour  as  much  as  would  serve  four  men  to  dinner.  On 
opening  the  body  of  a  Gigantic  Crane,  there  were  found  in  its  craw  a 
land  tortoise,  ten  inches  long,  and  in  its  stomach  a  large  black  cat. 
Being  altogether  undaunted  at  the  sight  of  mankind,  these  birds  are 
soon  rendered  familiar;  and  when  fish  or  other  food  are  thrown  to 
them  they  catch  them  very  nimbly,  and  immediately  swallow  them. 

The  Indians  believe  that  these  Cranes  are  invulnerable,  and  that 
they  are  animated  by  the  souls  of  the  Brahmins.  They  are  held  in  the 
highest  veneration  both  by  the  Indians  and  Africans.  Mr.  Ives,  in 
attempting  to  kill  some  of  them  with  his  gun,  missed  his  shot  several 
times;  this  the  bystanders  observed  with  great  satisfaction,  telling  him 
triumphantly  that  he  might  shoot  at  them  as  long  as  he  pleased,  but 
that  he  would  never  be  able  to  kill  any  of  them. 

There  seems  no  doubt  that  this  is  the  species  mentioned  by  Mr. 
Sineathman,  as  having  been  seen  by  him  in  Africa.  The  birds  that  he 
describes  were  at  least  seven  feet  high. 

These  birds  are  found  in  companies  ;  and,  when  seen  at  a  distance, 
near  the  mouths  of  rivers,  coming  towards  an  observer  (which  they  do 
with  their  wings  extended),  they  may  be  mistaken  for  canoes  on  the 
surface  of  a  smooth  sea  ;  and  when  stalking  about  on  the  sandbanks, 
they  appear  like  men  and  women  picking  up  shell-fish  on  the  beach. 

A  young  bird  of  this  kind,  about  five  feet  in  height,  was  brought 
up  tame,  and  presented  to  the  Chief  of  the  Bananas,  where  Mr. 
Smeathman  lived ;  and  in  whose  house  it  soon  became  perfectly  fa- 
miliar. It  regularly  attended  the  hall  at  dinner-time;  aud  placed 


316 


THE  BITTERN.  317 

itself  behind  its  master's  chair,  frequently  before  any  of  the  guests 
entered.  The  servants  were  obliged  to  watch  it  carefully,  and  to 
defend  the  provisions  by  beating  it  off'  with  sticks;  yet,  notwith- 
standing every  precaution,  it  would  frequently  snatch  off  something 
from  the  table.  It  one  day  purloined  a  whole  boiled  fowl,  which  it 
swallowed  in  an  instant.  This  bird  used  to  fly  about  the  island,  and 
roost  very  high  among  the  silk-cotton  trees;  from  this  station,  at  the 
distance  of  two  or  three  miles,  it  could  see  when  the  dinner  was  car- 
ried across  the  court.  As  soon  as  this  appeared  it  would  dart  down, 
and  arrive  early  enough  to  enter  with  some  of  those  who  carried  in 
the  dishes. 

When  sitting,  it  was  observed  always  to  rest  itself  on  the  whole 
length  of  the  hind  part  of  thtf  leg.  It  sometimes  stopped  in  the  room 
for  half  an  hour  after  dinner;  turning  its  head  alternately,  as  if 
listening  to  the  conversation.  The  courage  of  this  bird  was  not 
equal  to  its  voracity :  for  a  child  eight  or  ten  years  of  age  was  able 
to  put  it  to  flight;  though  it  would  seem  at  first  to  stand  on  the 
defensive,  by  threatening  with  its  enormous  bill  widely  extended, 
and  crying  out  with  a  loud,  hoarse  voice. 

It  preyed  on  small  quadrupeds,  birds,  and  reptiles;  and  though  it 
would  destroy  poultry,  it  never  dared  openly  to  attack  a  hen  with 
her  young-ones.  It  had  been  known  to  swallow  a  Cat  whole;  and 
a  bone  of  a  shin  of  beef  being  broken,  served  it  but  for  two  morsels. 


THE   SUX    BITTERNr. 

The  Bittern  is  not  so  large  as  the  Common  Heron.  Its  bill  also  is 
weaker,  and  not  more  than  four  inches  long.  The  gape,  however,  is 
eo  wide,  that  the  eyes  seem  placed  in  the  bill.  The  crown  of  the  head 
is  black;  the  feathers  on  the  hind  part  forming  a  sort  of  pendent 
crest.  The  plumage  is  of  a  pale  dull  yellow,  variously  marked  with 
black.  Some  parts  about  the  wings  are  of  a  bright  rust  color,  barred 
with  black.  The  tail  is  very  short;  and  the  feathers  on  the  breast  are 
long  and  loose.  The  legs  are  of  a  pale  green  color;  the  claws  long 
and  slender;  and  the  inside  of  the  middle  claw  is  serrated,  for  the 
better  holding  of  its  prey. 

This  is  a  very  retired  bird ;  dwelling  among  the  reeds  and  rushes 
of  extensive  marshes,  where  it  leads  a  solitary  life,  hid  equally  from 
the  hunter  whom  it  dreads,  and  the  prey  that  it  watches.  It  con- 
tinues  for  whole  days  about  the  same  spot,  and  seems  to  look  for 
safety  only  in  privacy  and  inaction. 

In  the  autumn  it  changes  its  abode,  always  commencing  ks  journey 
or  change  of  place  at  sunset.  Its  precautions  for  concealment  and 
security  seem  directed  with  great  care  and  circumspection.  It  usually 
sits  in  the  reeds  with  its  head  erect;  by  which  from  its  great  length 
of  neck,  it  sees  over  their  tops,  without  being  itself  perceived  by  the 
sportsman. 

The  principal  food  of  the  Bittern,  during  summer,  consists  of  fish 
and  frogs ;  but  in  the  autumn  these  birds  resort  to  the  woods  in  pur 


318  THE   BITTERN. 

suit  of  mice,  which  they  seize  with  great  dexterity,  and  always  swallow 
whole.     About  this  season  they  usually  become  very  fat. 

The  Bittern  is  not  so  stupid  a  bird  as  the  Heron,  but  it  is  greatly 
more  ferocious.  When  caught,  it  exhibits  much  rancor,  and  strikes 
chiefly  at  the  eyes  of  its  antagonist.  Few  birds  make  so  cool  a  defence: 
it  is  never  itself  the  aggressor;  but,  if  attacked,  it  fights  with  the 
greatest  intrepidity.  If  darted  on  by  a  bird  of  prey,  it  does  not  attempt 
to  escape ;  but,  with  its  sharp  beak  erected,  receives  the  shock  on  the 
point,  and  thus  compels  its  enemy  to  retreat,  sometimes  with  a  fatal 
wound. 

When  wounded  by  the  sportsman,  it  often  makes  a  severe  resistance. 
It  does  not  retire ;  but  waits  his  onset,  and  gives  such  vigorous  pushes 
with  its  bill,  as  to  wound  the  leg,  even  through  the  boot.  Sometimes 
it  turns  on  its  back,  like  the  rapacious  birds,  and  fights  both  with 
its  bill  and  claws.  When  surprised  by  a  dog,  it  is  said  always  to  throw 
itself  into  this  posture.  Mr.  Markwick  once  shot  a  Bittern  in  frosty 
weather;  it  fell  on  the  ice,  which  was  just  strong  enough  to  support 
the  dogs,  and  they  immediately  rushed  forward  to  attack  it;  but  being 
only  wounded,  it  defended  itself  so  vigorously,  that  the  dogs  were  com- 
pelled to  leave  it,  till  it  was  fired  at  a  second  time  and  killed. 

During  the  months  of  February  and  March,  the  males  make  a  kind 
of  deep  lowing  noise  in  the  mornings  and  evenings.  This  is  supposed 
to  be  the  call  to  the  females,  and  to  be  produced  by  a  loose  membrane, 
situated  at  the  entrance  of  the  throat,  capable  of  great  extension. 

The  nest  of  the  Bittern  is  formed  in  April,  among  rushes ;  and 
almost  close  to  the  water.  The  female  lays  four  or  five  greenish  eggs 
and  sits  on  them  for  about  twenty -five  days.  The  young-ones,  when 
hatched,  are  naked  and  ugly,  appearing  almost  all  legs  and  neck;  they 
do  not  venture  abroad  till  about  twenty  days  after  their  extrusion. 
During  this  time,  the  parents  feed  them  with  snails,  small  fish,  or  frogs. 
It  is  said  that  the  hawks,  which  plunder  the  nests  of  most  of  the 
marsh-birds,  seldom  dare  to  attack  those  of  the  Bittern,  on  account  of 
the  old  ones  being  always  on  their  guard  to  defend  their  offspring. 

A  female  Bittern,  which  was  killed  during  the  frost  in  winter,  was 
found  to  have  in  her  stomach  several  warty  lizards,  quite  perfect  and 
the  remains  of  some  toads  and  frogs.  These  were  supposed  to  have 
been  taken  out  of  the  mud,  under  shallow  water,  in  the  swamp  where 
the  bird  was  shot. 

The  Common  Bittern  is  the  representative  of  a  group  having  a  com- 
pact body,  long  thin  neck,  a  narrow  high  beak,  large-toed  feet,  broad 
wings,  a  tail  composed  of  ten  feathers,  and  thick  plumage,  which  is 
slightly  prolonged  on  the  neck.  The  sexes  only  differ  in  their  size. 
In  both  the  crown  is  black,  the  nape  greyish  black,  mixed  with  yellow, 
and  the  rest  of  the  plumage  spotted  and  streaked  with  dark  brown  of 
various  shades ;  the  upper  mandible  is  brownish  grey,  and  the  lower 
one  of  greenish  hue;  the  foot  is  light  green  with  yellow  joints.  This 
bird  is  twenty-eight  inches  long  and  forty-eight  broad.  The  wing 
measures  fifteen  and  the  tail  five  inches.  The  nest  is  placed  in  marshes 
among  reeds.  The  eggs  are  five  in  number,  of  an  olive  colour.  Its 
food  consists  principally  of  fish  and  reptiles  of  various  kinds. 


THE    TIGER    BITTERN THE    CUKLEW. 


319 


TIGER   BITTERN. 


There  is  a  species  of  Bittern,  found  in  Guiana,  called  the  Tiger 
Bittern.  It  is  about  thirty  inches  long,  and  of  a  darker  color  than  the 
common  Bittern,  which  it  resembles  in  appearance  and  voice.  It  fre- 
quents the  banks  of  rivers  and  marshy  places,  and  builds  its  nest  upon 
the  ground. 


;r 


r\ 


THE   COMMON    BITTERN. 


OF  THE  SNIPE   TRIBE   IN   GENERAL. 

IN  this  tribe  the  bill  is  long,  slender,  weak,  and  straight.  The 
nostrils  are  linear,  and  lodged  in  a  furrow.  The  head  is  entirely 
covered  with  feathers.  The  feet  have  each  four  toes,  the  hind  one  of 
which  is  very  short,  and  consists  of  several  joints. 

THE   CURLEW. 

These  birds  differ  much  in  size;  some  of  them  weighing  thirty-seven, 
and  others  not  twenty-two  ounces.  The  head,  neck,  and  coverts 


320 


THE    CURLEW. 


of  the  wings  are  of  a  pale  brown  color,  and  the  middle  of  each  featheT 

is  black.  The  breast  and  belly  are 
white,  marked  with  narrow  oblong 
black  lines.  The  back  is  white, 
spotted  with  a  few  black  strokes.  The 
quill-feathers  are  black,  but  the  inner 
webs  are  spotted  with  white.  The 
tail  is  white,  tinged  with  red,  and 
beautifully  barred  with  black.  The 
legs  are  long,  strong  and  of  a  bluish 
gray  color. 

Large  flocks  of  Curlews  are  frequently  seen,  in  the  winter  season, 
on  the  sea-coasts,  running  about  upon  the  sands,  and  feeding  on 
shell-fish,  crabs,  and  marine  insects :  they  are  also  found  in  marshes, 
where  they  subsist  on  small  frogs,  snails,  insects,  and  worms.  Their 
bill  is  so  long,  weak,  and  slender,  that  it  is  calculated  only  for  dig- 
ging into  soft  mud  or  earth,  in  search  of  prey. 

Both  the  English  and  French  names  of  this  bird  are  evidently 
derived  from  its  cry. 


«OT 


In  summer-time  the  Curlews  retire  to  mountainous  and  unfrequsn 
ted  parts  of  the  country,  where  they  pair  and  breed.  The  eggs,  which 
are  four  in  number,  are  of  a  uale  color,  marked  with  irregular  bu* 
distinct  spots  of  brown. 


TIIE    LOttG-BILLED   CURLEW. 


321 


THE  LOXG-BILLED  CUBLEW. 

The  Long-Billed  Curlew  is  seen  in  the  marshes  of  New  Jersey 
about  the  middle  of  May,  on  its  way  further  north:  and  in  September, 
or  the  latter  end  of  August,  on  their  return  from  their  breeding  places. 
Their  southern  migrations,  in  all  probability,  are  bounded  by  the 
chores  of  the  Mexican  Gulf.  Like  most  species  of  the  genus,  they 
retire  into  the  desolate  regions  of  the  north  to  breed.  According  to 
Wilson,  a  few  instances  have  been  known,  of  one  or  two  pairs  re- 
maining in  the  salt  marshes  of  Cape  May  the  whole  summer;  and 
they  were  believed  to  nest  there  on  the  ground,  laying  four  eggs  in 
size  and  color  much  resembling  those  of  the  Clapper  Rail.  Indeed, 
it  will  probably  be  found,  that  many  birds,  now  supposed  to'pass  the 
period  of  reproduction,  in  the  remote  regions  of  the  north,  only  sep- 
arate into  solitary  pairs,  and  disperse  themselves  through  the  vast 
wilds  of  the  interior  of  North  America. 

The  Long-Billed  Curlews  fly  high  and  rapid,  generally  throwing 
themselves,  when  in  company,  into  an  angular  wedge,  after  the  man- 
ner of  Wild  Geese;  uttering,  as  they  fly,  and  when  at  all  alarmed,  a 
loud,  short,  whistling,  and  almost  barking  note,  sometimes,  as  in 
other  species  of  the  family,  strongly  resembling  the  sibilation  of  the 
word  kurlew,  and  from,  whence  they  derive  their  characteristic  name, 
adopted  into  so 
many  of  the  Eu- 
ropean languages. 
By  a  dexterous 
imitation  of  this 
note,  a  whole  flock 
may  sometimes  be 
enticed  within  gun 
shot;  while  the 
cries  of  the  wound- 
ed continue  the 
sympathetic  entice- 
ment, until  the 
fowler,  repeating 
his  shots,  carries 
havoc  among  the 
quailing  throng. 
Their  food  consists 
principally  of  in- 
sects, worms,  and 
small  Crabs.  The 
young  and  old, 
also,  on  their  arri- 
val from  the  north,  where  they  feed  on  various  kinds  of  berries,  still 
continue  their  fondness  for  this  kind  of  food,  and  now  frequent  the 
uplands  and  pastures  in  quest  of  the  fruit  of  the  bramble,  particu- 
larly dew-berries,  on  which  they  get  so  remarkably  fat,  at  times,  as 
to  burst  the  skin  in  falling  to  the  ground,  and  are  then  very  superior 
in  flavor  to  almost  any  other  game  bird  of  the  season. 


LONG-BILLED  CURLTVT. 


322 


THE  GODWIT. 


THE  GODWIT. 


The  Godwit^  belongs  to  a  division  of  the  Linnrcan  genus  Scolopax 
equally  extensive  with  the  Curlews,  and  containing  more  British  spe- 
cies It  is  only  sixteen  inches  long,  being  smaller  than  the  Curlew 
It  seldom  remains  more  than  a  day  in  one  place.  On  a  fine  moonlight 
night  they  may  often  be  seen  passing  from  one  place  to  another,  fly?™ 
at  a  great  height  in  the  air. 


The  P.irre  belongs  to  the  family  of  Sandpipers,  of  which  there  are 
about  seventeen  British  species,  the  Purre  being   one  of  the  most 


WOODCOCKS. 


323 


common.  They  are  equally  shy  with  the  Curlews,  and  when  alarmed 
give  a  kind  of  scream,  anil  immediately  skim  off  along  the  surface 
of  the  water  in  an  undulating  flight,  making  a  series  of  semicircles  as 
they  alternately  approach  and  recede  from  the  shore.  When  this 
alarm  has  subsided,  they  alight  on  a  rock  at  some  distance  from  the 
plaoe  they  formerly  occupied,  and  then  descend  to  the  shore,  to  re- 
sume their  interrupted  meal.  They  are  found  in  great  numbers  on 
the  uuadts  of  Devon  and  Arnwall. 


WOODCOCKS. 

In  this  tribe  of  birds',  the  bill  is  nearly  similar  with  that  of  the 
Snipo,  but  more  robust,  with  the  extremity  attenuated,  and  not  de- 
pressed ;  the  under  mandible  is  also  deeply  grooved  beneath.  The 
eyes  are  placed  very  far  back  in  the  head,  which  last  is  rather  quadrate 
than  round.  Legs  robust,  short,  and  wholly  feathered  to  the  knees, 
tarsus  shorter  than  the  middle  toe ;  the  toes  cleft  from  the  very  base, 
and  the  hind  nail  truncated,  and  not  projecting  over  the  toe.  The  first 
or  fourth  primary  longest. 


The  female  larger,  and  the  young  similar  with  the  adult.  The 
plumage  undergoes  no  change  with  the  moult;  its  general  colors  are 
a  mixture,  often  intimate,  of  black,  rufous  and  cinerous. 

These  are  solitary  birds,  or  only  associating  by  pairs  or  families  in 
the  breeding  season.  They  dwell  habitually  in  forests  both  in  the 
plains  and  mountains,  and  frequent  shady  swamps  and  thickets;  but 
21 


324 


TUB   LESSER   WOODCOCK. 


seiaom  appear  m  open  grounds.  From  the  greater  strength  of  their 
less  sensitive  bills,  they  are  enabled  to  bore  in  drier  ground  than  the 
Snipes,  and  use  this  organ  often  in  turning  over  the  fallen  leaves  and 
withered  grass,  in  quest  of  their  insect  prey.  They  tend  their  young 
with  great  assiduity,  conveying  them  from  danger  even  by  sometimes 
carrying  them  on  their  backs,  or  in  their  claws.  Their  flight  is  low 
and  direct,  accompanied  by  a  whizzing  sound,  from  the  ial  or  attend 
ing  upon  it.  Although  there  are  but  two  species  known,  in  eithe 
continent,  yet  they  are  spread  over  the  whole  earth, 

THE   LESSER  WOODCOCK. 

The  American  Woodcock,  like  the  Snipe,  appears  again  to  be  a 
near  representative  of  that  in  Europe,  whose  manners  and  habits  it 
almost  entirely  possesses,  differing  however,  materially  in  the  temper- 
ature of  the  climates  selected  for  its  residence,  confining  itself  in  the 
summer  to  the  south  side  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  breeding  in  all  the 
intermediate  space  as  far  as  the  limits  of  the  Middle  States,  and  re- 
tiring in  winter,  for  the  most  part,  either  to  or  beyond  the  boundray 
of  the  Union. 

Early  in  March  the  American  Woodcock  revisits  Pen n sylvan' a, 


THE    LK6SEB   WCOEOCK — MALE    AND    Ft  MALE. 


THE   SNIPE. 


325 


and  soon  after  the  New  England  or  Eastern  States.  Acording  to 
tf'oir  usual  habits, 
*hey  keep  secluded 
in  the  woods  and 
thickets,  till  the  ap- 
proach of  evening, 
when  they  sally  forth 
to  seek  oat  springs, 
paths,  and  broken 
soil,  in  quest  of 
worms  and  other  in- 
sects, on  which  they 
feed.  They  now 
disperse  themselves 
over  the  country  to 
breed,  and  indicate 
their  presence  in  all 
directions  by  the 
marks  of  their  bor- 
ing bills,  which  are 
seen  in  such  soft  and 
bog^y  places  as  are  usually  sheltered  by  thickets  and  woods. 

When  flushed  or  surprised  in  their  hiding  places,  they  only  rise  in 
a  hurried  manner  to  the  tops  of  the  bushes,  or  glide  through  the 
under  growth  to  a  short  distance,  when  they  instantly  drop  down 
again,  and  run  out  for  some  space  on  touching  the  ground,  lurking 
as  soon  as  they  imagine  themselves  in  a  safe  retreat.  At  times,  in 
open  woods,  they  fly  out  straight  with  considerable  vigor  and  swift- 
ness, but  the  effort,  from  the  shortness  of  the  wing,  is  always  attended 
with  much  muscular  exertion. 

Early  in  April,  the  Woodcocks  in  pairs  select  a  spot  for  breeding, 
which  is  generally  in  or  near  some  retired  part  of  the  same  woods 
which  usually  affords  them  their  food  and  shelter.  The  nest  is  placed 
on  the  ground,  in  a  tuft  of  grass,  or  in  the  protection  of  some  old 
stump.  It  is  formed  with  little  art,  of  such  withered  leaves  and  old 
grass  as  the  convenience  of  the  place  affords;  the  eggs  are  four,  rather 
large,  of  a  dark  yellowish- white  approaching  olive,  speckled  and  con- 
fluently  blotched,  with  three  slightly  different  shades  of  dark  yellow- 
ish-brown spots,  most  numerous  at  the  greater  end. 


LESSEE  WOODCOCK. 


THE    SNIPE. 

With  the  bill  long,  straight,  slender  and  compressed,  soft  and 
flexible.  Wings  moderate,  the  first  and  second  primaries  nearly 
of  equal  length,  and  longest  in  the  wing.  Tail  short  and  rounded, 
of  from  twelve  to  sixteen  or  more  feathers.  The  head  large,  com- 
pressed, low  in  front  and  high  behind ;  the  eyes  large,  placed  high 
and  far  back  in  the  head,  so  as  to  give  a  stupid  appearance  to  the  bird, 
for  which  it  is  indeed  characteristic.  The  tongue  long,  filiform  and 


326  THE   BROWN,    OR    RED-BREASTED   SNIFE. 

acute.     The  body  compressed  and  very  fleshy.    The  sexes,  with  the 

young,  similar  in  their  plumnge,, 
but  the  female  a  little  larger. 
They  moult  twice  in  the  year,  ind 
the  tints  are  a  little  more  brilliant 
in  summer. 

These  birds,  nearly  nocturnal  in 
their  habits  and  time  of  feeding, 
live  usually  in  woods,  or  in  bogs 
and  marshes,  and  feed  on  worms 
insects  and  other  small  animals, 
which  they  seek  in  mud  or  bog- 
moss  by  probing  down  with  the 
sensitive  bill,  whose  extremity 
possesses,  in  consequence  of  its 
peculiar  nervous  netting,  all  the 

appropriate  sense  of  touch ;  when  this  resource  fails,  and  also  in 
common,  they  seek  their  prey  by  turning  over  the  decayed  leaves  of 
the  forest,  under  which  it  may  happen  to  lurk.  When  pursued  they 
keep  close  to  the  ground,  and  have  the  infatuation  to  think  that  by 
biding  their  head  in  their  feathers,  they  are  concealed  from  their 
enesmies ;  when  close  chased,  or  suddenly  flushed,  they  start  on  wing 
and  fly  out  with  great  rapidity.  The  flesh  is  considered  superior  to 
almost  any  other  game. — The  species,  composed  of  two  or  more  sub- 
genera,  are  spread  all  over  the  world,  but  they  generally  prefer  cold 
countries  for  their  residence,  in  which,  if  temperate,  they  are  often 
resident  the  whole  year,  in  other  climates  they  are  necessarily  migra- 
tory from  the  nature  of  their  food.  They  nest  on  the  ground ;  and 
the  eggs  are  about  four. 


The  Eed-Breasted  Snipe  begins  to  visit  the  sea  coast  of  New  Jersey 
early  in  April,  arriving  from  its  winter  quarters  probably  in  tropical 
America.  After  spending  about  a  month  on  the  muddy  marshes,  and 
sand  flats,  left  bare  by  the  recess  of  the  tides,  a  more  powerful  impulse 
than  that  of  hunger  impels  the  wandering  flocks  towards  their  natal 
regions  in  the  north,  where  secluded,  from  the  prying  eye  of  man,  and 
relieved  from  molestation,  they  pass  the  period  of  reproduction,  the 
wide  range  of  which  continues,  without  interruption,  from  the  borders 
of  Lake  Superior  to  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea. 

The  Ked-Breasted  Snipes  are  always  seen  associated  in  flocks,  and 
though  many  are  bred  in  the  interior  around  the  great  northern  lakes, 
they  now  all  assemble  towards  the  sea  coast,  as  a  region  that  affords 
them  an  inexhaustible  supply  of  their  favorite  food  of  insects,  molluscs, 
and  small  shell-fish;  and  here  they  continue,  a  succession  of  wan- 
dering and  needy  bands,  until  the  commencement  of  cold  weather 
advertises  them  of  the  approach  of  famine ;  when,  by  degrees,  they 
recede  beyond  the  southern  limits  of  the  Union.  While  here,  they 


THE  SEMI-PALM ATED  SNIPE. 


327 


appear  very  lively,  performing  their  aerial  evolutions  over  the  marsnes, 
sometimes  at  a  great  height  in  the  air,  uttering  at  the  same  time 
a  loud,  shrill  and  quivering  whistle,  scarcely  distinguishable  from  that 
of  the  Yellow  Legged  Tatler,  (something  like  'te-te-te,  'te-te-te.)  The 
game  loud  and  querulous  whistling  is  also  made  as  they  rise  from  the 
ground,  when  they  usually  make  a  number  of  circuitous  turns  in  the 
air,  before  they  descend.  At  all  times  gregarious,  in  the  autumn  and 
spring  they  sometimes  settle  so  close  together,  that  several  dozens  have 
been  killed  at  a  single  shot.  While  feeding  on  the  shores  or  sand- 
bars, they  may  be  sometimes  advantageously  approached  by  a  boat,  of 
which,  very  naturally,  they  have  but  little  tear  or  suspicion,  nor  are 
they  at  any  time  so  shy  as  the  common  Snipe,  alighting  often  within  a 
few  rods  of  the  place  where  their  companions  have  been  shot,  without 
exhibiting  alarm  until  harassed  by  successive  firing. 


SEMI-PALMATED   SNIPE,    OR   WILLET. 

The  Willet,  as  this  well  known  and  large  species  is  called,  inhabits 
almost  every  part  of  the  United  States,  from  the  coast  of  Florida  to 
the  distant  shores  and  saline  lakes  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Saskatchewan 
up  to  the  56th  parallel  of  latitude,  where,  as  they  pass  the  summer, 
they  no  doubt  propagate  there,  as  well  as  in  the  Middle  States  of  the 
Union.  Their  appearance  in  the  north  of  Europe,  is  merely  acciden- 
tal, like  the  visit  of  the  Ruff  in  America,  which  has,  indeed,  no  better 
claim  in  our  Fauna,  than  that  of  the  Willet  in  Europe,  both  being 
stragglers  from  their  native  abodes  and  ordinary  migrating  circuits. 
From  the  scarcity  of  this  species  on  the  shores  of  Massachusetts  Bay, 
it  is  more  than  probable,  that  their  northern  migrations  are  made 
chiefly  up  the  great  valley  of  the  Mississippi ;  and  they  have  been 
seen,  in  the  spring, 
by  Mr.  Say,  near 
Engineer  Canton- 
ment, on  the  bank 
of  the  Missouri.  A 
few  straggling  fam- 
ilies or  flocks  of 
the  young,  are  oc- 
casionally seen, 
about  the  middle 
of  August,  on  the 
muddy  flats  of  Co- 
hasset  beach ;  but 
they  never  bleed  in 
this  part  of  New 
England,  though 
nests  are  found  in 
the  vicinity  of  New 
Bedford. 

The  Willet  probably  passes  the  winter  within  tne  tropics,  or  along 


328  TnE  RUFF 

the  extensive  shores  of  the  Mexican  Gulf.  About  the  middle  of 
March,  however,  their  lively  vociferations  of  pill-will-willet,  pill-will- 
willet,  begin  commonly  to  be  heard  in  all  the  marshes  of  the  sea 
islands  of  Georgia  and  South  Carolina.  In  the  Middle  States  they 
arrive  about  the  15th  of  April,  or  sometimes  later,  according  to  the 
season ;  and  from  that  period  to  the  close  of  July,  their  loud  and 
shrill  cries,  audible  for  half  a  mile,  are  heard  incessantly  throughout 
the  marshes  where  they  now  reside. 


OF  THE  SANDPIPERS  IN   GENERAL. 

THE  Sandpipers  have  a  straight  and  slender  bill,  about  an  inch 
and  a  half  long ;  small  nostrils ;  and  a  slender  tongue.  The  toes  are 
divided,  or  are  very  slightly  connected  at  the  base  by  a  membrane* 
the  hinder  toe  is  short  and  weak. 


THE   RUFF   AND    REEVE. 

The  Ruff  is  about  a  foot  in  length,  with  a  bill  about  an  inch  long. 
The  face  is  covered  with  yellow  pimples.  A  few  of  the  feathers  of  the 
Ruff  stand  up  over  each  eye,  and  appear  not  unlike  ears.  The  colors 
of  the  Ruff  are  in  no  two  birds  alike  :  in  general  they  are  brownish, 
and  barred  with  black;  though  some  have  been  seen  that  were 
altogether  white.  The  lower  parts  of  the  belly  and  the  tail  coverts 
are  white.  The  tail  is  tolerably  long,  having  the  four  middle  feathera 
barred  with  black  ;  the  others  are  pale  brown.  The  legs  are  of  a  dull 
yellow,  and  the  claws  black.  The  female  is  smaller  than  the  mala 
and  of  a  brown  color. 

The  name  of  Ruff  has  been  given  to  the  male  of  this  species,  from 
the  long  feathers  which  stand  out  on  the  back  part  of  the  head  and 
neck,  and  which  remind  a  casual  observer  of  the  ruffs  that  were 
worn  by  our  ancestors.  The  female,  which  is  called  the  Reeve,  ia 
destitute  of  this  singular  appendage. 

The  male  bird  does  not  acquire  Lis  ruff  till  the  second  season ; 
and  till  that  time  he  is  in  this  respect  like  the  female ;  as  he  is  also 
annually  from  the  end  of  June  until  the  pairing  season.  After 
the  time  of  incubation,  the  long  feathers  fall  off,  and  the  caruncles 
shrink  in  under  the  skin,  so  as  not  to  be  discerned. 

The  males  are  much 'more  numerous  than  the  females,  and  they 
have  many  severe  contentions  for  their  mates.  The  male  chooses, 
near  a  splash  of  water,  on  some  dry  bank,  a  stand,  round  which  ha 
runs  so  often,  as  to  make  a  bare  circular  path  :  the  moment  a  female 
comes  in  sight,  all  the  males  within  a  certain  distance  commence  a 
general  battle ;  placing  their  bills  to  the  ground,  spreading  the  feathers 
of  their  neck,  and  using  the  same  action  as  a  Cock :  and  this  oppor- 
tunity is  seized  by  the  fowlers,  who,  in  the  confusion  catch  them,  by 
means  of  nets,  in  great  numbers. 


THE   RUFF   AND   REEVE. 


329 


An  erroneous  opinion  prevails  very  generally,  that  Huffs  when  iti 
confinement  must  be  fecT  in  the  d;irk,  lest  the  admission  of  light 
should  induce  them  to  fight.  The  fact  is,  that  every  bird,  even  when 


kept  in  a  room,  takes  its  stand,  as  it  would  in  the  open  air;  and  if 
another  invade  its  circle  a  battle  ensues.  A  whole  room  full  of  them 
may  be  set  into  fierce  contest  by  compelling  them  to  shift  their 
atations ;  but,  after  the  disturber  has  quitted  the  place,  they  have 
been  observed  to  resume  their  circles,  aud  become  again  pacific 


330 


THE    DUNLIN,  OR   OX-BIRD. 


In  confinement,  their  quarrels  usually  originate  in  the  pan  contain- 
ing  their  food  not  being  sufficiently  large  enough  to  admit  the  whole 
party  ,to  feed,  without  touching  each  other.  When  the  food  ha. 
been  divided  into  several  pans,  the  birds  have  continued  perfectly 
quiet. 


THE   TURNSTONE. 

The  Turnstone  is  about  the  size  of  a  Thrush  ;  its  bill  is  black,  about 
an  inch  in  length,  and  a  little  turned  up  at  the  end.  The  body  is 
black,  variously  marked  with  white  and  rust-color  on  the  upper  parts ; 
the  breast  and  belly  are  white.  The  legs  are  short  and  orange-colored. 

This  bird  is  found  on  various  parts  of  the  English  and  Scottish 
coasts,  and  in  North  America.  It  has  its  name  from  its  custom  of 
turning  over  stones,  in  order  to  prey  upon  the  insects  and  worms 
concealed  beneath  them. 


DUNLIN,    OR   OX-BIRD. 

The  Dunlin  or  Ked-backed  Sandpiper  of  the  United  States,  according 

to  the  season  of  the 

A,,,,,.  i^L  year,  is  met  with 

throughout  the 
northern  hemis- 
phere; penetra- 
ting, in  America, 
during  the  summer 
season,  to  the 
utmost  habitable 
verge  of  the  Arctic 
circle,  and  even 
breeding  i  n  that 
remotest  of  lands, 
the  ever  wintry 
MHUW  shores  of  Melville 

Peninsula.      They 

likewise  inhabit  Greenland,  Iceland,  Scandinavia,  the  Alps  of  Siberia, 
ai\d  the  coasts  of  the  Caspian.  In  the  southern  hemisphere,  they 
sometimes  even  wander  as  far  as  the  Cape  of  Good  Dope ;  and  are 
found  in  Jamaica,  other  of  the  West  India  Islands,  and  Cayenne.  In 
the  autumn  they  are  seen  around  Yera  Cruz,  and  with  other  Sandpipers 
probably,  exposed  for  sale  in  the  market  of  Mexico.  At  the  same 
time,  many,  as  the  Purres  in  their  winter  dress,  remain  through  the 
greatest  part  of  the  winter  within  the  milder  limits  of  the  Union , 
frequenting,  at  times,  in  great  numbers,  the  coasts  of  both  Carolina^ 
during  the  month  of  February;  flitting,  probably,  to  and  fro  with 
every  vaccillating  change  of  temperature,  being  naturally  vagabond, 
and  nowhere  fixed  for  any  considerable  time,  until  their  arrival  at  th« 


WILSON  S   SANDPIPER. 


331 


ultima  thule  of  the  continent,  where  they  barely  stay  long  enough 
to  rear  a  single  brood,  destined,  as  soon  as  they  are  able,  to  wander 
with  the  rest,  and  swell  the  aerial  host,  whose  sole  delight,  like  the 
untiring  Petrels  of  the  storm,  or  the  ambitious  Albatross,  is  to  be  in 
perpetual  action ;  and  are  thus,  by  their  associated  numbers,  obliged 
perpetually  to  rove  in  quest  of  their  transient,  periodical,  and  varying 

In  the  middle  States,  the  Dunlins  arrive  on  their  way  to  the  north 
in  April  and  May ;  and  in  September  and  October,  they  are  again  seen 
pursuing  the  route  to  their  hybernal  retreat  in  the  south.  ^  At  these 
times  they  often  mingle  with  the  flocks  of  other  strand  birds,  from 
which  they  are  distinguishable  by  the  rufous  color  of  their  upper  plum- 
age.  They  frequent  the  muddy 'flats  and  shores  of  the  salt  marshes,  at 
the  recess  of  the  tide,  feeding  on  the  worms,  insects  and  minute  shell-fish 
which  such  places  generally  afford.  They  are  also  very  nimble  on  the 
strand,  frequenting  the  sandy  beaches  which  bound  the  ocean,  running 
and  gleaning  up  their  prey  with  great  activity/on  the  reflux  of  thf 


waves. 


WILSON'S  SANDPIPER. 

This  small,  and  nearly  resident  species,  may  be  considered  as  th« 
most  common  and  abun- 
dant in  America,  inhab- 
iting the  shores  and 
marshes  of  the  whole1 
continent,  both  to  the 
north  and  south  of  the 
equator;  retiring  proba- 
bly, with  the  inclemency 
of  the  season,  indiffer- 
ently, from  either  frigid 
circle,  towards  the  warm- 
er and  more  hospitable 
regions  within  the 
tropics.  They  are  con- 
sequently seen,  spring 

and  autumn,  in  all  the  markets  of  the  Union,  as  well  as  in  those 
of  the  West  Indies,  Vera  Cruz,  and  in  the  interior  as  far  as  Mexico. 
Captain  Cook  also  found  them  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  continent, 
frequenting  the  shores  of  Nootka  Sound.  The  great  mass  of  their 
pigmy  host  retire  to  breed  within  the  desolate  lands  of  the  Arctic 
circle,  where,  about  the  20th  of  May,  or  as  soon  as  the  snow  begins  to 
melt,  and  the  rigors  of  the  long  and  nocturnal  winter  relax,  they  are 
again  seen  to  return  to  the  shores  and  swampy  borders  of  their  native 
lakes,  in  the  inclement  parallel  of  66°.  Though  shy  and  quailing  on 
their  first  arrival,  with  many  other  aerial  passengers  of  like  habits, 
they  contribute  to  give  an  air  of  life  and  activity,  to  these  most  dreary, 
otherwise  desolate,  and  inhospitable  regions  of  the  earth.  Endowed 


332  WILSON'S  SANDPIPER. 

with  different  wants  and  predilections  from  the  preceding  hosts,  whose 
general  livery  they  wear,  they  never  seemingly  diverge  in  their  passage 
BO  far  to  the  eastward  as  to  visit  Greenland,  and  the  contiguous 
extremity  of  northern  Europe,  being  unknown  in  the  other  continent ; 
and  migrating  always  towards  the  south,  they  have  thickly  peopled 
almost  every  part  of  the  country  that  gave  them  birth. 

The  Peeps  as  they  are  here  called,  are  seen  in  the  salt  marshes  around 
Boston,  as  early  as  the  8th  of  July ;  indeed,  so  seldom  are  they  absent 
from  us  in  the  summer  season,  that  they  might  be  taken  for  denizens 
of  the  State,  or  the  neighboring  countries,  did  we  not  know  that  they 
repair,  at  an  early  period  of  the  spring,  to  their  breeding  resorts  in  the 
distant  north;  and  that,  as  yet,  numerous  and  familiar  as  they  are,  the 
nest,  and  history  of  their  incubation,  is  wholly  unknown. 

When  they  arrive,  now  and  then  accompanied  by  the  semipalmated 
species,  the  air  is  sometimes,  as  it  were,  clouded  with  their  flocks. 
Companies  led  from  place  to  place,  in  quest  of  food,  are  seen  whirling 
suddenly  in  circles,  with  a  desultory  flight,  at  a  distance  resembling  a 
swarm  of  hiving  Bees,  seeking  out  some  object  on  which  to  settle. 
At  this  time,  deceiving  them  by  an  imitation  of  their  sharp  and 
querulous  whistle,  the  fowler  approaches,  and  adds  destruction  to  the 
confusion  of  their  timorous  and  restless  flight.  Flocking  together  for 
common  security,  the  fall  of  their  companions,  and  their  plaintive  cry, 
excites  so  much  sympathy  among  the  harmless  Peeps,  that,  forgeting 
their  own  safety,  or  not  well  perceiving  the  cause  of  the  fatality,  which 
the  gun  spreads  among  them,  they  fall  sometimes  into  such  a  state  of 
confusion,  as  to  be  routed  with  but  little  effort,  until  the  greedy  sports- 
man is  glutted  with  his  timorous  and  infatuated  game.  When  much 
disturbed,  they  however,  separate  into  small  and  wandering  parties, 
where  they  are  now  seen  gleaning  their  fare  of  larvae,  worms,  minute 
shell-fish,  and  insects  in  the  salt  marshes,  or  on  the  muddy  and  sedgy 
shores  of  tide  rivers  and  ponds.  At  such  times  they  may  be  very 
neaily  approached,  betraying  rather  a  heedless  familiarity,  than  a 
timorous  mistrust  of  their  most  wily  enemy ;  and  even  when  rudely 
startled,  they  will  often  return  to  the  same  place  in  the  next  instant, 
to  pursue  their  lowly  occupation  of  scooping  in  the  mud,  and  hence 
probably  originated  the  contemptible  appellation  of  humility,  by 
which  they  and  some  other  small  birds  of  similar  habits  have  been 
distinguished.  For  the  discovery  of  their  food,  their  flexible  and 
sensitive  awl-like  bills  are  probed  into  the  mire,  marshy  soil,  or  wet 
sand,  in  the  manner  of  the  Snipe  and  Woodcock,  and  in  this  way 
they  discover  and  rout  from  their  hidden  retreats,  the  larva?  ai  d  soft 
worms  which  form  a  principal  part  of  their  fare.  At  other  times,  they 
also  give  chase  to  insects,  and  pursue  their  calling  with  amusing 
alacrity.  When,  at  length  startled,  or  about  to  join  the  company  they 
have  left,  a  sharp,  short  and  monotonous  whistle,  like  the  word  peet, 
or  peep  is  uttered,  and  they,  instantly  take  to  wing,  and  course  along 
with  the  company  they  had  left.  On  seeing  the  larger  marsh  birds 
feeding,  as  the  Yellow-Shanks  and  others,  a  whirling  flock  of  the 
.Peeps  will  descend  amongst  them,  being  generally  allowed  to  feed  in 
quiet ;  and  on  the  approach  of  the  sportsman,  these  little  timorous 


DOUGLAS'S  SANDPIPER. 


333 


rovers  are  ready  to  give  the  alarm.  At  first  a  slender  peep  is  heart*, 
which  is  then  followed  by  two  or  three  others,  and  presently  peet  'pip 
pip  'p'p  murmurs  in  a  lisping  whistle  through  the  quailing  ranks,  aa 
•hey  rise  swarming  on  the  wing,  and  inevitably  entice  with  them  their 
larger  but  less  watchful  associates. 


DOUGLAS'S  STILT  SANDPIPER. 

According  to  Dr.  Kichardson,  this  species  is  not  uncommon  in  tb 
fur  countries  of 
Upper  Canada,  to 
the  60th  parallel, 
and  perhaps  still 
further  north.  It 
exhibits  the  usual 
habits  of  the  genus 
Tringa^  frequents 
the  interior  marshes 
in  the  breeding 
season,  and  in  the 
antumn  resorts  in 
flocks  to  the  flat 
ahorep  of  Hudson's 
Bay,  previous  to 
taking  its  departure 
for  the  south. 

DOUGLAS'S  8TIL*  SANDPIPER. 


OF  THE  PLOVEBS  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  Plovers  have  a  straight,  somewhat  cylindrical  and  obtuse  bilL 
seldom  longer  than  the  head.  The  feet  are  formed  for  running,  wiia 
three  toes,  all  placed  forward. 

The  Plovers  generally  associate  in  small  flocks,  and  the  wWia 
emigrate  in  companies  of  greater  or  less  extent ;  the  young  colit*;* 
together,  pursuing  their  route  apart  from  the  old,  and  after  their  (id- 
parture.  They  live  principally  upon  small  worms,  and  aquatic  insects. 
The  common  species,  and  the  Guignard,  frequent  the  marshes  and 
muddy  borders  of  the  larger  and  smaller  rivers,  and  rarely  frequent 
sea-shores ;  the  other  species  live  more  habitually  upon  the  coasts,  and 
near  the  outlets  of  streams.  The  moult  in  most  of  the  species  is 
double,  and  the  sexes  are  scarcely  distinguishable  by  any  exterior 
jiarkings,  except  in  the  C.  cantianus,  in  which  the  moult  is  only 
annual,  and  the  sexes  distinguishable  by  their  livery.  Some  exotio 
species  of  the  genus  bear  spines  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  wings, 
being,  in  fact,  an  approach  towards  the  development  of  claws  on  the 
anterior  extremities  1  several  other  species  have  fleshy  excrescences 
upon  the  head  or  mandibles. 


334 


THE   DOTTEREL — THE    STILT. 


THE   DOTTEREL. 

The  length  of  the  Dotterel  is  about  ten  inches.  The  bill  is  not 
quite  an  inch  long,  and  is  black.  The  forehead  i<s 
mottled  with  brown  and  gray :  the  top  of  the  head 
is  black  ;  and  over  each  eye  there  is  an  arched  lind 
of  white,  which  passes  to  the  hind  part  of  the  keck 
The  cheeks  and  throat  are  white:  the  back  and 
wings  are  of  a  light  brown,  inclining  to  olive,  eacn 
feather  margined  with  pale  rust-color.  The  fore 
part  of  the  neck  is  surrounded  by  a  broad  band  of  light  olive-color, 
bordered  below  with  white.  The  breast  is  of  a  pale  dull  orange ;  the 
middle  of  the  belly  black ;  and  the  rest  of  the  belly  and  thighs  are  of 
a  reddish  white.  The  tail  is  olive  brown,  black  near  the  end,  tipped 
with  white ;  and  the  outer  feathers  are  margined  with  white.  The 
legs  are  of  a  dark  olive. 

These  birds  are  migratory;  ••Dpearing  in  flocks  of  eight  or  ten, 
about  the  end  of  April,  and  continuing  all  May  and  June,  when  they 
become  very  fat,  and  are  much  esteemed  for  the  table. 

The  Dotterel  is  in  its  manners  a  singular  bird,  and  may  be  taken  by 
an  extremely  simple  artifice.  The  country  people  are  said  sometimes 
to  go  in  quest  of  it,  in  the  night,  with  a  lighted  torch  or  candle ;  and 
the  bird,  on  these  occasions,  will  mimic  the  actions  of  the  fowler  with 
great  archness.  When  he  stretches  out  an  arm,  it  stretches  out  its 
wing ;  if  he  move  a  foot,  it  moves  one  also ;  and  every  other  motion 
tt  endeavors  to  imitate. 


THE   STILT,   OR   LONG  LEGGED   PLOVER. 

The  Stilt,  though  rare  and  accidental  in  its  visits  in  the  colder  oli 
mates,  is  riot  uncommon  in  eastern  Europe, 
along  the  borders  of  lakes  in  Hungary,  and  in 
the  interior  of  Asia,  where,  as  well  as  in 
Mexico  and  Brazil,  and  sometimes  in  Ger- 
many and  France,  it  is  known  to  pass  the 
period  of  reproduction.  In  Egypt,  where  it 
arrives  in  October,  it  probably  passes  the 
winter.  According  to  Temminck,  it  was 
known  to  riest  in  the  marshes  near  Abbeville 
in  1818,  but  their  general  resort  for  breeding 
is  in  the  vast  saline  marshes  of  Hungary 
and  Russia.  Being  a  native  of  regions  conti- 
guous to  the  southern  limits  of  the  United 
States,  there  is  little  doubt  but  that  it  visits 
the  whole  shores  of  the  Mexican  Gulf.  Its 
habits  are  altogether  maritime,  and  it  is  said 
to  feed  on  the  spawn  of  fish,  tadpoles,  gnats, 
flies  and  other  aquatic  insects.  The  legs  of  this  bird  are  remarkably 


1X>NO-LEOO£D  FL07KB. 


335 


THE    BLACK-NECKED   STILT. 


slender,  and  longer,  perhaps  in  proportion,  than  in  any  other  kno 
bird,  it  consequently  staggers  and  reels  in  its  gait,  while  balancing 
itself  on  its  stilt-like  legs. 


STILT  BIRD. 
THE    BLACK-NECKED    STILT. 

The  Black-necked  Stilt  is  common  to  many  parts  of  South  as  well 
as  North  America ;  it  is  known  at  any  rate  to  inhabit  the  coast  of 
Cayenne,  Jamaica,  and  Mexico.  In  the  United  States,  it  is  seldom 
seen  but  as  a  straggler  as  far  to  the  north  as  the  latitude  of  41°.  About 
the  25th  of  April,  according  to  Wilson,  they  arrive  on  the  coast  of 
New  Jersey  in  small  flocks  of  twenty  or  thirty  together.  These  again 
subdivide  into  smaller  parties,  but  they  still  remain  gregarious  through 
the  breeding  season.  Their  favorite  residence  is  in  the  higher  and 
more  inland  parts  of  the  greater  salt  marshes,  which  are  interspersed 
and  broken  up  with  shallow  pools,  not  usually  overflowed  by  the  tide? 
during  summer.  In  these  places  they  are  often  seen  wading  up  to 
the  breast  in  water,  in  quest  of  the  larvae,  spawn,  flies,  and  insects, 
which  constitute  their  food. 

In  the  vicinity  of  these  bare  places,  among  thick  tufts  of  grass 
small  associations  of  six  or  eight  pair,  take  up  their  residence  for  the 
breeding  season.  They  are,  however,  but  sparingly  dispersed  over 
the  marshes,  selecting  their  favorite  spots  ;  while  in  large  intermediate 
tracts,  few  or  none  are  to  be  seen.  Early  in  May,  they  begin  to  mak* 
their  nests,  which  are  at  first  slightly  formed  of  a  mere  layer  of  old 
grass  just  sufficient  to  keep  the  eggs  from  the  moisture  of  the  marsh 


336 


THE   SANDERLING   PLOVER. 


in  the  course  of  incubation,  however,  either  to  guard  against  the  rise 
of  the  tides,  or  for  some  other  purpose,  the  nest  is  increased  in  height 
with  the  dry  twigs  of  salt  marsh  shrubs,  roots  of  grass,  sea-weed,  and 
any  other  coarse  materials  which  may  be  convenient,  until  the  whole 
may  now  weigh  two  or  three  pounds.  The  eggs,  four  in  number,  are 
of  a  dark  yellowish  drab,  thickly  marked  with  large  blotches  of 
brownish-black.  These  nests  are  often  situated  within  fifteen  or  twenty 
yards  of  each  other,  the  respective  proprietors  living  in  mutual  friendship. 


THE    SANDKBL1NG   PLOVER. 

The  Sanderlings,  in  accumulating  flocks,  arrive  on  the  shores  of 

Massachusetts  from 
their  remote  north- 
ern breeding  places 
towards  the  close  of 
August.  They  are 
seen  also  about  the 
same  time  on  the 
coast  of  New  Jer- 
sey, and  still  far- 
ther to  the  south, 
where  they  remain 
throughout  the 
greater  part  of  the 
winter,  gleaning 
their  subsistence 
exclusively  along 
the  immediate  bor- 
ders of  the  ocean, 
and  are  particularly 
attached  to  sandy 
flats,  and  low  sterile,  solitary  coasts,  divested  of  vegetation,  aiul 
perpetually  bleached  by  the  access  of  tides  and  storms;  in  such  situ- 
ations  they  are  often  seen  in  numerous  flocks,  running  along  the 
strand,  busily  employed  in  front  of  the  moving  waves,  gleaning 
with  agility,  the  shrimps,  minute  shell-fish,  marine  insects,  and  small 
moluscous  animals,  which  ever  recurring  accident  throws  in  their 
way.  The  numerous  flocks,  keep  a  low  circling  course  along  the 
strand,  at  times  uttering  a  slender  and  rather  plaintive  whistle, 
nearly  like  that  of  the  smaller  Sandpipers.  On  alighting,  the  little 
active  troop,  waiting  the  opportunity,  scatter  themselves  about  in 
the  rear  of  the  retiring  surge,  the  succeeding  wave  then  again  urges 
the  busy  gleaners  before  it,  when  they  appear  like  a  little  pigmy 
army  passing  through  their  military  evolutions ;  and  at  this  time  the 
wily  sportsman,  seizing  his  opportunity,  spreads  destruction  among 
their  timid  ranks :  and  so  little  are  they  aware  of  the  nature  of  the 
attack,  that,  after  making  a  few  aerial  meanders,  the  survivors,  pursue 
their  busy  avocations  with  as  little  apparent  concern  as  at  the  first 


•AJTDERUNO   PLOVER. 


THE   GOLDEN    PLOVER. 


337 


THE   COMMON,   OR   GOLDEX   PLOVER. 

The  Common  Plover  is,  according  to  the  season  of  the  year,  met 
with  in  almost  every  part  of  the  world.  They  arrive  on  the  eoast  of 
the  middle  and  northern  states  in  spring  and  early  in  autumn.  Near 
to  Nantasket  and  Chelsea  beach,  they  are  seen,  on  their  return  from 
their  inclement  natal  regions  in  the  north,  by  the  close  of  August,  and 
the  young  remain  in  the  vicinity  till  about  the  middle  of  October. 


GOLDEN  PLOVER. 


or  later,  according  to  the  state  of  the  weather.  They  live  principally 
upon  land  insects,  or  the  larvae  and  worms  they  meet  with  in  the  saline 
marshes,  and  appear  very  fond  of  grasshoppers.  About  the  tine  of 
their  departur?  they  are,  early  in  a  morning,  seen  sometimes  asaem- 


338  OF   THE   RAIL   TRIBE. 

bled  by  thousands,  but  they  all  begin  to  disperse  as  the  sun  rises,  and 
at  length  disappear  high  in  the  air  for  the  season.  They  usually 
associate,  however,  in  small  flocks  and  families,  and  when  alarmed, 
while  on  the  wing,  or  giving  their  call  to  those  who  are  feeding  around 
them,  they  have  a  wild,  shrill  and  whistling  note,  and  are  at  most 
times  timid,  watchful,  and  difficult  to  approach.  Though  they  con- 
tinue associated  in  numbers  for  common  safety  during  the  day,  they 
disperse  in  the  evening,  and  repose  apart  from  each  other.  At  day- 
break, however,  the  feeling  of  solitude  again  returns,  and  the  early 
sentinel  no  sooner  gives  the  shrill  and  well-known  call  than  they  all 
assemble  in  their  usual  company.  At  this  time,  they  are  often 
caught  in  great  numbers  by  the  fowler,  with  the  assistance  of  a 
clap-net,  stretched  before  dawn  in  front  of  the  place  they  have 
selected  to  pass  the  night.  The  fowlers  now  surrounding  the  spot, 
prostrate  themselves  on  the  ground  when  the  call  is  heard,  and  as  soon 
as  the  birds  are  collected  together,  they  rise  up  from  ambush,  and  by 
shouts,  and  the  throwing  up  of  sticks  in  the  air,  succeed  so  far  in 
intimidating  the  Plovers  that  they  lower  their  flight,  and  thus  strik- 
ing against  the  net,  it  falls  upon  them.  In  this,  and  most  other 
countries,  their  flesh,  in  the  autumn,  and  particularly  that  of  the 
young  birds,  is  esteemed  as  a  delicacy,  and  often  exposed  for  sale  ;n 
the  markets  of  the  principal  towns. 


OF  THE  RAIL  TRIBE. 

THE  bill  is  thickest  at  the  base,  attenuated  on  the  back  towards  the 
tip,  compressed,  a  little  incurved,  and  pointed.  The  tongue  is  rou^h 
at  the  tip.  The  body  is  compressed,  and  the  tail  short.  The  foet 
have  each  four  toes. 

The  Rails  are  shy,  solitary,  and  very  timid  birds,  generally  residing 
in  reedy  and  sedgy  marshes,  in  the  vicinity  of  fresh  and  still  waters, 
provided  with  a  deep  covert  of  shrubs,  rushes  and  rank  herbage. 
When  surprised  they  run  much  oftener  than  fly,  and  skim  over  watery 
places  with  great  agility,  on  the  surface  of  the  leaves  of  aquatic  plants, 
rather  than  swim,  which  they  seldom  do  from  choice,  though  they 
also  dive  well,  or  when  wounded,  and  can  remain  long  under  the 
water.  Though  their  flight  is  ordinarily  so  limited,  they  yet  perform 
extensive  migrations.  They  walk  with  ease  and  swiftness ;  and  rarely 
alight  anywhere  but  on  the  ground.  As  they  are  chiefly  noctur- 
nal in  their  motions,  they  remain  concealed,  throughout  the  greatest 
part  of  the  day,  chiefly  in  wet  and  grassy  places,  and  turn  out  in 
quest  of  food  in  the  morning  or  evening,  or  by  the  advantage  of 
the  moonlight.  In  the  breeding  season,  however,  the  monogamous 
parents  and  the  brood  they  have  jointly  hatched,  are  not  unfroquently 
seen  abroad  by  day.  They  breed  in  marshes  and  thickets,  nesting 
near  waters,  sometimes  even  forming  a  nest  to  float,  and  attaching  it 
to  the  contiguous  reeds.  They  feed  upon  worms,  soft  insects,  as  well 
as  upon  vegetables,  and  their  seeds.  Species  are  to  be  found  to  in 
habit  e^ery  part  of  the  world. 


THE    LAND  RAIL— CAROLINA   RAIL.  339 


THE  LAND   RAIL. 

The  bill  of  the  Land  Rail  is  short,  strong,  and  thick.  The  feathers 
on  the  crown  of  the  head,  the  hind 
part  of  the  neck,  and  the  back,  are 
black,  edged  with  bay.  The  coverts 
of  the  wings  are  of  the  same  color ; 
DUt  not  spotted.  The  tail  is  short 
and  of  a  deep  bay.  The  belly  is 
white,  and  the  legs  are  ash-colored. 
These  birds  generally  weigh  from  six 
to  eight  ounces. 

The  harsh  cry  of  this  bird,  which 
somewhat  resembles  the  word,  crek, 
crek.  crek,  is  by  no  means  unlike  the 

j         V*         ,     •          •  n          •!  1        j.1  LAND  RAIL. 

noise  made  by  stripping  forcibly  the 

teeth  of  a  large  comb  under  the  fingers.  It  is  chiefly  heard  in  the 
summer  season,  among  the  long  grass  and  corn.  Here  the  bird  con- 
stantly skulks,  hidden  by  the  thickest  part  of  the  herbage,  winding 
and  doubling,  in  every  direction,  in  such  manner  that  it  is  generally 
difficult  for  any  person  to  come  near  it.  When  hard  pushed  by  the 
sportsman  or  his  dogs,  it  sometimes  stops  short,  and  its  too  eager 
pursuers  overshoot  the  spot,  and  lose  all  trace  of  it. 

Ill-calculated  as,  from  the  shortness  of  its  wings,  and  the  position 
and  length  of  its  legs,  this  bird  appears  to  be  for  flight,  it  certainly  is 
able  to  fly  with  considerable  swiftness.  It  is,  in  general,  very  unwill- 
ling  to  rise  from  the  ground  ;  and  such  is  its  timidity,  that  it  will  some- 
times squat  so  close  as  to  suffer  itself  to  be  taken  up  into  the  hand 
rather  than  rise. 

It  is  a  bird  of  passage,  generally  making  its  appearance  about  the 
same  time  with  the  Quail. 

It  appears  that  Land  Rails  frequent  the  fields  more  for  the  sake  OA 
snails,  slugs,  and  other  vermes  which  abound  in  such  places,  than  for 
the  grain  or  seeds  they  might  find  there. 

The  female  constructs  her  nest  on  the  ground,-  of  moss  and  dry 
grass,  negligently  put  together.  The  number  of  eggs  is  generally 
about  ten  or  twelve,  of  a  pale  ash -color,  marked  with  ferruginous 
spots.  The  young-ones  are  able  to  run  as  soon  they  have  burst  the 
shell 

THE  CAROLINA  RAIL. 

The  Soiree,  or  Common  Rail  of  America,  which  assemble  in  such 
numbers  on  the  reedy  shores  of  the  larger  rivers,  in  the  Middle  and 
adjoining  warmer  States,  at  the  approach  of  autumn,  and  which  afford 
such  abundant  employ  to  the  sportsman,  at  that  season,  like  most  ot 
the  tribe  to  which  it  belongs,  is  a  bird  of  passage,  wintering  generally 
south  of  the  limits  of  the  Union.  They  begin  to  make  their  appearance, 
in  the  marshes  of  Georgia,  by  the  close  of  February ;  and,  on  the  2d 


340 


THE  CAROLINA   RAIL. 


THE  CAROLINA   RAIL. 


of  May,  Wilson  observed  them  in  the  low  watery  meadows  below 
Philadelphia. 

Like  the  other  migrating  waders,  the  Rails,  accompanied  by  theii 

swarming  broods, 
bred  in  the  north 
and  west,  begin  to 
show  themselves 
on  the  reedy 
borders  of  the 
Delaware,  and  on 
other  large  waters 
of  the  Middle 
States,  whose  still 
and  sluggish 
streams,  spread- 
ing out  over 
muddy  flats,  give 
birth  to  an  abun- 
dant crop  of  the 
seeds  of  the  Wild 
Rice,  now  the 
favorite  food  of 

the  Rails  and  the  Rice  or  Reed  Birds.  On  first  arriving,  from  the 
labor  and  privations  incident  to  their  migrations,  they  are  lean,  and 
little  valued  as  food  ;  but  as  their  favorite  natural  harvest  begins  to 
swell  out  and  approach  maturity,  they  rapidly  fatten ;  and,  from  the 
middle  of  September  to  the  same  time  in  October,  they  are  in  excellent 
order  for  the  table,  and  eagerly  sought  after  wherever  a  gun  can  be 
obtained  and  brought  into  operation. 

The  usual  method  of  shooting  Rail  on  the  Delaware,  according  to 
Wilson,  is  as  follows.  The  sportsman  proceeds  to  the  scene  of  action 
in  a  batteau,  with  an  experienced  boatman,  who  propels  the  boat 
with  a  pole.  About  two  hours  before  high  water,  they  enter  the 
reeds,  the  sportsman  taking  his  place  in  the  bow  ready  for  action ; 
while  the  boatman  on  the  stern  seat  pushes  her  steadily  through  the 
reeds.  The  Rails  generally  spring  singly,  as  the  boat  advances,  and 
at  a  short  distance  ahead,  are  instantly  shot  down,  while  the  boatman, 
keeping  his  eye  on  the  spot  where  the  bird  fell,  directs  the  vessel 
forward,  and  picks  it  up  as  the  gunner  is  loading.  In  this  manner  tha 
boat  continues  through  and  over  the  wild-rice  marsh,  the  birds  flushing 
and  falling,  the  gunner  loading  and  firing,  while  the  helmsman  is 
pushing  and  picking  up  the  game ;  which  sport  continues  till  an  hour 
or  two  after  high  water,  when  its  shallowness,  and  the  strength  and 
weight  of  the  floating  reeds,  as  also  the  unwillingness  of  the  game  to 
spring  as  the  tide  decreases,  oblige  them  to  return.  Several  boats  are 
sometimes  within  a  short  distance  of  each  other,  and  a  perpetual 
cracking  of  musketry  prevails  along  the  whole  reedy  shores  of  the 
river.  In  these  excursions,  it  is  not  uncommon  for  an  active  and 
expert  marksman  to  kill  ten  or  twelve  dozen  in  the  serving  of  a 
gingle  tide. 


THE  PURPLE  GALLIXULS. 


341 


THE  PURPLE    GALLINULE. 


very  splendid,  but  ioooagruous  species  of  Gallinuie,  is  ia  tJ» 
United  States,  a 
bird  of  passage, 
wintering  in  tropi- 
cal America,  and 
passing  the  sum- 
mer, or  breeding 
season  in  the 
marshes  of  Florida 
and  the  contiguous 
parts  of  the  State 
of  Georgia,  where 
it  arrives  in  the 
latter  part  of 
April,  retiring 
south  with  its 
brood,  in  the 
course  of  the 
autumn,  and 
probably  winters, 
according  to  its 
habits,  in  the 
swampy  maritime 
districts  along  the 
ooast  of  the  Mexican  Gulf. 

^  The  Martinico  Gallinule,  while  in  the  Southern  States,  frequents  th« 
rice-fields,  rivulets,  and  fresh  water  pools,  in  company  with  the  more 
common  Florida  species.  It  is  a  vigorous  and  active  bird,  bites  hard 
when  irritated,  runs  with  agility,  and  has  the  faculty,  like  the  Sul- 
tanas, of  holding  on  objects  very  firmly  with  its  toes,  which  are  very- 
long,  and  spread  to  a  great  extent.  When  walking,  it  jerks  its  tad 
Eke  the  common  Gallinule.  In  its  native  marshes  it  is  very  shy  and 
vigilant,  and  continually  eluding  pursuit,  oan  only  be  flushed  with  ta« 
aid  of  a  dog 


OF  THE  fLAMINGO  TRIBE. 

THE  Flamingoes  combine  the  characters  of  the  two  Linnaean  orders, 
the  Waders  and  the  Swimmers.  They  have  long  necks  and  legs. 
Their  bill  is  thick,  large,  and  bending  in  the  middle.  The  higher  part 
of  the  upper  mandible  is  keel-shaped :  the  lower  compressed.  The 
edges  of  the  upper  mandible  are  sharply  indented ;  those  of  the 
lower  transversely  furrowed.  The  nostrils  are  covered  above  with  a 
thin  plate,  and  are  pervious.  The  tongue  is  cartilaginous,  and  pointed 
at  the  end ;  the  middle  part  is  muscular,  and  the  upper  part  acouleatod 


342 


THE   RED   FLAMINGO. 


The  neck  is  long.    The  legs  and  thighs  are  of  great  length:  the  feel 

are  webbed ;  and  the  back  toes  very  small. 


THE  RED   FLAMINGO. 

The  body  of  the  Bed  Flamingo  is  about  the  size  of  that  cf  a 

Goose ;  but  its 
legs  and  neck  are 
of  such  extraordi- 
nary length,  thai 
when  it  stands 
erect  it  is  upwards 
of  six  feet  io 
height.  The  body 
is  of  a  beautiful 
scarlet.  It  is  an 
inhabitant  of  those 
parts  of  America? 
that  are  as  yet  bufc 
thinly  peopled. 

When  the  Euro- 
peans first  visited 
America,  they 
found  the  Flamin- 
goes on  the  shores 
tame  and  gentley 
and  no  way  dis- 
trustful of  man- 
kind. If  one  of 
them  was  killed,  the  rest  of  the  flock,  instead  of  attempting  to  fly, 
only  regarded  the  fall  of  their  companion  with  a  kind  of  fhied  aston<- 
iahrnent :  another  and  another  shot  was  discharged  ;  and  thus  the 
fowler  often  levelled  the  whole  flock,  without  on-e  of  them  attempting 
to  escape.  Now,  however,  they  regard  us  with  aversion.  Wherever 
they  haunt,  one  of  the  number,  it  is  said,  is  always  appointed  to  watch 
whrle  the  rest  are  employed  in  feeding ;  and  the  moment  he  perceives 
the  least  danger,  he  gives  a  load  scream,  in  sound  not  unlike  a 
trumpet,  and  instantly  the  whole  flock  is  on  wing.  They  feed  ira 
silence ;  but,  when  thus  roused,  they  all  join  in  the  noise,  and  fill  the 
ftir  with  their  screams. 

Their  nest  is  of  a  singular  construction.  It  is  formed  ot  mu<J,  in  the 
ghape  of  a  hillock,  with  a  cavity  at  the  top.  In  this  the  female  gen- 
erally lays  two  white  eggs,  of  the  size  of  those  of  a  goose,  but  longer. 
The  hillock  is  of  such  a  height  as  to  admit  of  the  bird's  sitting  on  il, 
or  rather  standing,  as  her  legs  are  placed  one  on  each  side,  at  full  length* 
Linnaeus  tells  us  that  she  will  sometimes  lay  her  eggs  on  the  project- 
ing part  of  a  low  rock,  if  it  happen  to  be  sufficiently  convenient  to 
admit  of  the  legs  being  placed  in  this  manner  on  each  side. 

it  is  not  until  a  long  time  after  they  are  hatched  that  the  young* 


S44 


THE   SACRED  IBIS. 


ones  are  alxb  to  fly  ;  gmt  they  ezra  previously  ran  with  amazing-  swfft- 
ness.  They  are  sometimes  caught  at  this  age;  and,  very  different  from 
the  old  ones^  they  sctTer  themselves- to  be- carried  away,  and  are- easily 
tamed.  In  &?&  or  six  days*  they  become familiar,,  and  will  tven  eat  out 
of  the  band;  and  they  drink  %  Surprising  quantity  €>f  sea-water.  But,, 
though  easily  rendered  cfomestie,  it  is>  difficult  tt>  rear  them ;  as  they 
are-  apt  ta  decline,,  from  the  want  of  their  natural  fbocL 

Flamingoes  are  cfteri  met  with  in  the  warmer  parts  ©fT  the  Old  Con- 
tinent; and, except  in  the  breeding-time,,  they  are  generally  found  in 
great  flocks*.  Whea  seen-  at  a  distance,  they  appear  like  a  regiment 
cf  soldiers;  being  often  ranged  alongside  of  one  another  on  the 


Fl.AMtNGOES-ON  TOEZ*  3E3TS, 


borders  of  rivers,  searching  for  food,  which  consists .  principally  of 
Binall  fish  and  water-insects :  these  they  take  by  plunging  the  bill  and 
part  of  the  head  into  the  water ;  and  from  time  to  time  trampling  the 
bottom  with  their  feet,  to  disturb  the  mud  in  order  to  raise  up  theif 
)>rey.  In  feeding,  they  are  said  to  twist  tbeir  neck  in  such  a  manner, 
that  the  upper  part  of  the  bill  is  applied  to  the  ground. 

These  beautiful  birds  were  much  esteemed  by  the  Boraans,  who 
often  used  them  in  their  grand  sacrifices  and  sumptuous  entertain- 
ments. Their  flesh  is  thought  tolerably  good  food  ;  and  the  tongue  was 
considered  by  the  ancients  as  among  the  most  delicate  of  all  eatables 
,  Martial,  and  many  other  writers  speak  of  it  in  high  terms  of 


8ACEED  IBIS. 


345 


346  THE    SACRED   IBIS SCARLET   IBIS AVOCET. 


THE  SACRED  IBIS. 

The  Sacred  Ibis  inhabits  Egypt,  but  does  not  seem  to  breed  there. 
This  is  the  bird  so  frequently  depicted  in  the  hieroglyphics  as  playing 
ft  conspicuous  part  in  religious  ceremonies.  Their  mummies  are  con 
stantly  found  in  the  tombs,  and  in  one  of  these  mummies  Cuvier  dis- 
covered remnants  of  skin,  and  scales  of  snakes.  Tt  is  a  migratory 
bird,  appearing  simultaneously  with  the  rise  of  the  Nile,  and  depart- 
ing as  the  inundation  subsides.  The  Sacred  Ibis  is  about  the  size  of 
an  ordinary  fowl. 


THE   SCARLET   IBIS. 

This  brilliant  and  exclusively  American  species  inhabits  chiefly 
within  the  tropics,  abounding  in  the  West  India  and  Bahama  Islands, 
and  south  of  the  equator,  at  least,  as  far  as  Brazil.  In  the  adult  bird 
the  plumage  is  of  a  uniform  bright  scarlet,  only  varied  by  the  blackish 
brown  on  the  outer  web  and  tips  of  the  quills.  The  length  is  twenty- 
four  inches,  the  wing  measures  ten  inches  and  the  tail  three  inches. 
The  flight  of  this  Ibis  is  lofty  and  strong,  and  it  utters  a  loud  and 
peculiar  cry  as  it  passes  through  the  air.  They  migrate  in  the  summer 
(about  July  and  August),  into  the  States  of  Florida,  Alabama,  Georgia, 
and  South  Carolina ;  but  retire  into  Mexico,  or  the  Caribbean  Islands, 
at  the  approach  of  cool  weather.  They  generally  associate  in  num- 
bers, frequenting  the  borders  of  the  sea,  and  the  banks  and  estuaries 
of  neighboring  rivers,  feeding  on  small  fry,  shell-fish,  Crustacea, 
worms,  and  insects,  which  they  collect  at  the  ebbing  of  the  tide. 
They  are  said  to  be  in  the  habit  of  perching  on  trees  in  companies ; 
but  lay  their  eggs,  which  are  greenish,  on  the  ground,  amidst  the  tall 
grass  of  the  marshes,  on  a  slight  nest  of  leaves.  When  just  hatched  the 
young  are  black,  soon  changing  to  gray,  but  are  nearly  white  before 
they  are  able  to  fly;  by  degrees  they  attain  their  red  plumage,  which 
is  not  complete  until  the  third  year.  The  young  and  old  associate 
in  distinct  bands.  In  the  countries  where  they  abound  they  are 
sometimes  domesticated,  and  accompany  the  poultry.  The  Ibia 
shows  great  courage  in  attacking  the  fowls,  and  will  even  defend 
itself  from  the  insidious  attacks  of  the  cat.  It  is  generally  esteemed 
aa  good  food ;  and  its  rich  and  gaudy  plumage  is  used  by  the  Brazil- 
ians for  various  ornaments. 


THE   AVOCET. 

The  bill  in  the  £enus  Recurvirostra  is  exactly  the  reverse  of  that  in 
the  genus  Cracticornis,  the  curve  being  upwards  instead  of  down- 
wards. The  common  Avocet  is  spread  throughout  the  warmer 
regions  of  Europe,  and  is  also  found  in  some  parts  of  Africa.  It  ia 
common  in  Holland,  and  is  frequently  seen  on  the  eastern  coasts 


THE   AMERICAN   AVOCET. 


347 


of  England,  but  seldom  visits  Scotland.  It  frequents  marshes  and 
the  mouths  of  rivers,  where  it  finds  in  the 
mud  myriads  of  the  small  worms  and  insects 
on  which  it  feeds,  and  which  it  obtains  by 
•cooping  them  up  from  the  mud  with  its 
curiously  curved  bill.  It  is  a  good  swimmer, 
but  seldom  has  recourse  to  that  art  except 
when  it  wades  unexpectedly  out  of  its  depth. 
The  egcrs  of  the  Avocet  are  laid  on  the 
ground,  in  a  depression  sheltered  by  a  tuft 
of  herbage  Their  color  is  a  bluish  green, 
spotted  with  black.  The  birds  when  disturbed  at  their  nests  feign 
lameness,  like  the  Lapwing,  in  order  to  draw  the  intruder  to  a  di*- 
tan^e.  The  length  of  the  bird  is  eighteen  inches. 


THE  AMERICAN  AVOCET. 

The  American  Avocet,  supposed  to  winter  in  tropical  America, 
arrives  on  the  coast 
of  Cape  May,  in 
New  Jersey,  late  in 
April,  where  it  rears 
its  young,  and  with 
them  again  retires 
to  the  south,  early 
in  October.  In  the 
months  of  spring 
they  were  observed 
by  Mr.  Say,  in  the 
lower  part  of  Mis- 
souri. They  are  also 
known  to  visit  $ova 
Scotia,  though 
scarcely  ever  seen  ir. 
the  State  of  Massa- 
chusetts. Doctor 
Richardson  also 
found  them  abun- 
dant in  the  Saskat- 
chewan plains,  as  far 
as  the  53rd  parallel, 
where  they  frequent 
shallow  lakes,  feeding  on  insects,  and  fresh  water  Crustacea.  In  New 
Jersey,  they  seem  to  have  a  predilection  for  the  shallow  pools  of  the 
salt  marshes,  wading  about  often,  in  search  of  their  prey,  which 
consists  of  marine  worms,  small  paludinas,  turbos.  &c.,  to  which,  like 
the  European  species,  they  sometimes  add,  small  Fuel,  or  marine 
vegetables 


AMERICAN    AVOCET. 


348 


THE    ROSEATE    SPOONBILL — SPOTTED    TATLER. 


THE    ROSEATE   SPOONBILL. 

The  Red  or  American  Spoonbill  chiefly  dwells  within  the  tropical 
r^ions  °f  tne  continent,  being  common  in  Jamaica,  and  other  ot  the 
West  India  Islands,  as  well  as  in  Mexico,  Guiana,  and  Brazil. 

According  to  the  relation  of  Captain  Henderson,  in  his  account  of 
Honduras,  this  species  is  more  maritime  in  its  habits  than  that  of 
Europe,  as  it  wades  about  in  quest  of  shell  fish,  marine  insects  fry 
and  small  crabs ; 


SPOTTED   TATLER. 


THE  SPOTTED  TATLER,  OR  PEET  WEET. 

The  Peet  Weet,  is  one  of  the  most  familiar  and  common  of  all  the 
New  England 
marsh  birds,  arriv- 
ing along  our  river 
shores  and  low 
meadows,  about  the 
beginning  of  May, 
from  their  mild  or 
tropical  winter 
quarters,  in  Mexico, 
and  probably  the 
adjoining  islands 
of  the  West  Indies. 
By  the  20th  of 
April,  Wilson  ob- 
served their  arrival 
on  the  shores  of  the 
large  rivers  in  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania.  They  migrate  and  breed  from  the  Middle 
States,  in  all  probability,  to  the  confines  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  or 
further ;  but  were  not  seen  by  Dr.  Richardson,  or  any  of  the  Arctic 
expeditions,  in  the  remote  boreal  regions,  or  around  Hudson's  Bay, 
as  had  been  asserted  by  Ilutchinson.  It  is  also  an  accidental  visitor 
in  the  old  continent,  being  sometimes  observed  on  the  coasts  of  the 
Baltic,  and  in  Germany,  but  still  more  rarely  in  Great  Britain.  As 
to  residence,  therefore,  the  Spotted  Tatler  may  be  considered  an 
exclusively  American,  and  confined  chiefly  to  the  limits  of  the  more 
temperate  parts  of  the  Union. 

As  soon  as  the  Peet  Weet  arrives  on  the  coasts,  small  roving  flocka 
»ro  seen,  at  various  times  of  the  day,  coursing  rapidly  along  the  bor- 
ders of  our  tide  water  streams,  flying  swift  and  rather  low,  in  circuit- 
ous sweeps  along  the  meanders  of  the  creek  or  river,  and  occasionally 
crossing  from  side  to  side,  in  rather  a  sportive  and  cheerful  mien,  than 
as  the  needy  foragers  they  appear  at  the  close  of  autumn.  While 
flying  out  in  these  wide  circuits,  agitated  by  superior  feelings  to  those 
of  hunger  and  necessity,  we  hear  the  shores  re-echo  the  shrill  and 
rapid  whistle  of  'weet,  'weet,  'weet,  'weet,  and  usually  closing  the  nota, 


349 


THE  YELLOW  SHANKS  TATLER. 


with  something  like  a  warble,  as  they  approach  their  companions  on 
the  strand.  The  cry  then  varies  to  ^peet,  weet  weet  weet,  beginning 
high  and  gradually  declining  into  a  somewhat  plaintive  tone.  As 
the  season  advances,  our  little  lively  marine  wanderers  often  trace  the 
streams  some  distance  into  the  interior,  nesting  usually  in  the  frech 
meadows  among  the  grass,  sometimes  even  near  the  house,  and  I  have 
Been  their  eggs  laid  in  a  strawberry  bed,  and  the  young  and  old 
pleased  with  their  allowed  protection,  familiarly  fed  and  probed  the 
margin  of  an  adjoining  duck  pond,  for  their  usual  fare  of  worms  and 
insects. 


YELLOW  SHANKS  TATLER 


THE    YELLOW    SHARKS   TATLER. 

The  Yellow  Shanks,  in  certain  situations,  may  be  considered  as  the 

most  common 
bird  of  the  family 
in  America.  Its 
summer  residence 
or  breeding  sta- 
tion, even  extends 
from  the  Middle 
States  to  the 
northern  extrem- 
ity of  the  conti 
nent,  where  it  is 
seen,  solitary  or 
in  pairs,  on  the 
banks  of  rivers, 
lakes,  or  in 
marshes,  in  every 
situation  contigu- 
ous to  the  ocean.  And  though  the  young  and  old  are  found 
throughout  the  warm  season  of  the  year  in  so  many  places,  the  nest 
and  eggs  are  yet  entirely  unknown.  Calculating  from  the  first  ap- 
pearance of  the  brood  abroad,  they  commence  laying  by  the  middle 
of  June,  and  are  seen  in  this  neighborhood  at  that  season.  It  resides 
chiefly  in  the  salt  marshes,  and  frequents  low  flats  and  estuaries,  at 
the  ebb  of  the  tide,  wading  in  the  mud,  in  quest  of  worms,  insects, 
and  other  small  marine  and  fluvatile  animals.  They  seldom  leave 
these  maritime  situations,  except  driven  from  the  coast  by  storms, 
when  they  may  occasionally  be  seen  in  low  and  wet  meadows,  as  far 
inland  as  the  extent  of  tide-water.  The  Yellow-Shanks  has  a  sharp 
whistle  of  three  or  four  short  notes,  which  it  repeats  when  alarrnecl 
and  when  flying,  and  sometimes  utters  a  simple,  low,  and  rather 
hoarse  call,  which  passes  from  one  to  the  other,  at  the  moment  of 
rising  on  the  wing.  It  is  very  impatient  of  any  intrusion  on  ita 
haunts,  and  thus  often  betraying,  like  the  preceding,  the  approach  of 
the  sportsman  to  the  less  vigilant  of  the  feathered  tribes,  by  flymg 
around  his  head,  with  hanging  legs  and  drooping  wings,  uttering  ita 
incessant  and  querulous  cries. 


350 


THE  GREAT   MARBLED  GODW1T. 


THE   GREAT  MARBLED   GODWIT 

The  Marbled  Godwit  is  only  a  transient  visitor  along  the  sea  coasts 
of  the  United  States, 
in  the  spring  and 
fall,  on  its  way  to 
and  from  its  breed- 
ing place  in  the 
north.  According 
to  Richardson,  they 
abound  in  the  sum- 
mer season  in  the 
interior  of  the  fur 
countries,  being 
particularly  plenti- 
ful on  the  Saskatch- 
ewan plains,  where 
it  frequents  rnarshea 
and  bogs,  walking 
on  the  surface  of 
the  swamp  moss, 
(Sp hagna,)  and 
thrusting  down  its 
bill  to  the  nostrils 
in  quest  of  worms 
and  leeches,  which 
it  discovers  by  the  sensitive  point  of  its  bill,  thus  finding  means  to 
obtain  a  kind  of  food  which  would  otherwise  be  imperceptible  to  any 
other  sense.  They,  no  doubt,  likewise  vary  their  fare,  and  feed  also 
upon  insects,  and  larvae.  They  arrive  on  the  coasts  of  the  Middle 
States  in  the  month  of  May,  and  linger  on  till  some  time  in  June. 
Many,  however,  at  this  time,  have  already  arrived  at  their  ultimate 
destination  in  the  north,  so  that  it  is  not  improbable  but  some  of 
these  Godwits  may  breed  in  more  temperate  regions  to  the  west  as 
well  as  north,  selecting  the  high  plains  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  in 
situations  sufficiently  moist.  At  all  events,  they  are  seen  in  the 
lower  part  of  Missouri,  in  the  course  of  the  spring,  but  migrate,, 
like  most  other  waders,  along  the  sea  coast,  in  the  way  to  their 
tropical  winter  quarters. 

The  Marbled  Godwit,  in  large  flocks,  appears  in  the  salt  marshes 
of  Massachusetts,  about  the  middle  of  August,  particularly  toward? 
the  eastern  extremity  of  the  Bay,  around  Chatham,  and  the  Vine- 
yard; their  stay  is,  however,  very  short,  and  they,  at  the  same  time, 
10  doubt,  visit  the  eastern  coast  of  Long  Island.  On  these  occasionM, 
ihey  are  assembled  by  many  hundreds  together,  and  usually  associate 
with  the  Short  Billed  Curlews,  they  themselves  being  called  Red  Cur- 
lews; though  here  they  are  distinguished  by  the  name  of  Doe-birds, 
and,  being  at  this  season  fat,  are  highly  esteemed  for  the  table.  They 


GREAT   MARBLED  GODWIT. 


THE  BARTRAM'S  TATLER.          351 

we  very  shy  and  cautious,  but  when  once  confused  by  the  fall  and 
cries  of  any  of  their  companions,  great  destruction  may  be  made 
among  them  before  they  recover  from  the  delusion ;  they  thus  make 
repeated  circuits  round  the  wounded  and  complaining,  and  may  also 
be  enticed  within  gunshot,  by  imitating  their  whistling  call  in  the  man- 
ner  of  the  Curlew.  Indeed,  without  some  contrivance  of  this  kind, 
they  can  seldom  ever  be  approached,  They  are  seen  it  appears,  in 
the  Middle  States  as  late  as  October,  or  November,  but  are  not  met 
with  on  the  Massachusetts  coast  beyond  the  close  of  September. 


BARTRAM'S  TATLER. 

Bartram's  Tatler,  known  here  by  the  name  of  the  Upland  Plover, 

so  very  distinct 
from  the  rest  of 
the  tribe  with 
which  it  is  asso- 
ciated in  the  sys- 
tems, is  one  of  the 
most  common 
birds  along  the 
sea  coast  of  Massa- 
chusetts, making 
its  appearance 
with  its  fat  and 
well-fed  brood,  as 
early  as  the  20th 
of  July,  becoming 
more  abundant  to- 


BALM'S   TATU*.  . 

of  August,  when 

the  market  of  Boston  is  amply  supplied  with  this  delicate  aiid  justly 
ee  teemed  game. 

According  to  the  season  of  the  year,  they  are  found  throughout 
the  continent,  many  retiring  south  of  the  equator  to  pass  the  winter. 
They  are  observed  in  May,  already  busily  gleaning  coleopterous  in- 
sects on  the  remote  boreal  plains  of  the  Saskatchewan,  and  abound 
in  the  extensive  prairies  west  of  the  Mississippi.  At  this  time,  and 
in  June,  they  are  seen  common  also,  in  Worcester  county,  (Mass.)  and 
are  believed  to  breed  there.  They  are  equally  frequent  on  the  plains 
of  Long  Island  and  New  Jersey,  and  in  similar  bare  and  dry  pastures  ia 
various  parts  of  Massachusetts,  particularly  about  Sekonk,  and  in 
Bhode  Island,  near  to  the  sea-coast,  where  they  pass  the  greater  part 
of  the  summer.  Wilson,  who  first  described  the  species,  met  with  it 
in  the  meadows  of  the  Schuylkill,  pursuing  insects  among  the  grass 
with  great  activity.  As  a  straggler,  it  has  been  seen,  though  very 
rarely,  in  Germany  or  Holland. 

The  breeding  range  of  this  species,  extends,  in  all  probability 
from  Pennsylvania  to  the  fur  countries  of  Upper  Canada,  as  well  a* 


352 


THE   COOT — CRESTED   GREBE,   OR   GAUNT. 


westward,  on  either  side  of  the  Mississippi.  Scattering  broods  and 
nests,  made  in  dry  meadows,  are  not  uncommon  a  few  miles  from 
Salem,  where  Mr.  N.  West  informs  me,  he  saw  the  young  just  fledged, 
in  the  month  of  July. 


THE    COOT. 

The  Coot  much  resembles  the  "Water-hen  in  its  habits.  It  is  usually 
found  in  large  sheets 
of  water,  particular- 
ly if  sheltered  by 
trees.  The  nest  is  a 
huge  mass  of  flags, 
reeds,  and  grass, 
usually  at  the 
water's  edge,  but 
sometimes  actually 
in  the  water.  In 
1849  I  took  five 
Coot's  eggs  from  a 
nest  situated  at  the 
Reservoir  near 
Swindon.  The  nest 
was  nearly  fifty 
yards  from  the  bank, 
and  was  made  on  a  OOOT' 

very  small  sunken  hillock,  in  three  feet  water.     In  the  nest  are  from 
seven  to  ten  greenish  white  eggs,  spotted  with  brown. 


THE    CRESTED  GREBE,   OR   GAUNT. 

The  Crested  Grebe,  inhabiting  the  northern  parts  of  both  the  old 
and  new  continents,  is  met  with  in  Iceland,  northern  Europe,  and  the 
cold  as  well  as  temperate  parts  of  Siberia ;  in  winter  passing  south 
as  far  as  Italy,  and  along  the  coasts  of  the  Mediterranean.  In 
America  they  are  found  in  all  the  secluded  reedy  lakes  of  the  moun- 
tainous and  woody  districts,  in  the  remote  fur  countries  around  Hud- 
son's Bay.  This  species  is  also  common  in  some  parts  of  England, 
•where  it  is  known  by  the  provincial  name  of  Cargoose,  or  Gaunt 
They  breed  in  the  meres  of  Shropshire  and  Cheshire,  and  in  the  east 
era  fen  of  Lincolnshire.  They  also  pass  the  period  of  reproduction 
in  some  of  the  Scottish  Isles,  particularly  in  Zetland,  and  are  abund- 
ant in  Germany,  Holland,  and  France.  In  the  United  States  they  are 
only  seen  in  winter,  proceeding  leisurely  towards  the  south,  as  the 
severity  of  the  season  increases,  often  migrating  by  water,  rather 
than  on  the  wing,  and  keeping  generally  at  no  great  distance  from 
the  sea,  or  tide- water  estuaries,  thus  securing  their  retreat  from  th* 
furprise  of  sudden  and  severe  frost. 


THE    CRESTED    GREBE     OR    GAUNT. 


353 


CRESTED  GREBE  AND  YOUNG. 


The  nest  of  the  Crested  Grebe,  concealed  among  the  reeds  and  flags 
of  the  ponds  in  which  they  dwell  in  the  summer,  is  made  of  rushes,  and 
the  coarse  aquatic  herbage  contiguous  to  the  chosen  spot,  and  so  con- 
structed as  often  to  float  about  on  the  rise  of  the  surrounding  water 
which  penetrates  it,  notwithstanding  which  the  female  still  sits  stead- 
fastly on  the  floating  habitation,  defended  securely  from  the  access  of 
the  water,  by  the  density  of  her  oily  and  downy  plumage.  The  eggs, 
three  or  four,  are  of  a  whitish-green,  waved,  or,  as  it  were,  soiled 
with  deep  b.-own.  The  young  are  fed  with  small  eels  and  fry. 


354 


THE   LITTLE   GREBE,    OR   DABCHICK. 


Their  food  consists  of  fish,  fry,  coleoptera,  marine  worms,  and  often, 
in  part,  of  vegetables.  In  Canada,  from  their  remarkable  agility  in 
Jiving,  they  are  known  by  the  name  of  Water  Witches,  and  are 
here  called  Diapers,  as  they  plunge  beneath  the  water  on  the  least 
ippearance  of  danger,  depending  very  little  on  their  wings  for  safety  ; 
iiid  when  most  disturbed  seldom  fly  farther  than  from  one  side  of 
:he  pool  to  the  other.  The  young  are  said  to  be  common  in  the 
winter  season,  in  small  flocks,  on  the  lake  of  Geneva,  in  Switzerland, 
ind  are  killed  for  the  sake  of  their  beautiful  skins ;  the  under  side 
oeing  dressed,  with  the  feathers  on,  are  made  into  muffs  and  tippets. 


THE  LITTLE  GREBE,  OK  DABCHICK. 

The  Dabchick,  the  smallest  of  the  species,  in  length  only  about  ten 
inches,  is  again  a  race  of  birds  common  to  the  colder  parts  of  both 
Continents,  having  been  seen  round  Hudson's  Bay,  though  hitherto 
unknown  even  as  a  visitor  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States. 
This  is  the  least  and  most  plentiful  species,  being  common  in  Europe 
and  the  north  of  Asia  in  most  lakes,  slow  running  rivers,  streams,  and 
ponds,  which  are  well  supplied  with  the  shelter  of  reeds.  It  seldom 
takes  to  wing,  but  dives  on  the  least  alarm,  and  will  remain  under 
water  amongst  the  floating  weeds  and  sheltering  herbage,  with  its  bil] 
alone  elevated  above  ior  respiration.  Its  nest,  like  that  of  other  Grebes. 
is  formed  of  a  large  quantity  of  coarse  aquatic  plants,  piled  together  to 
the  thickness  of  a 
foot,  and  is  gen- 
erally fastened  to 
the  reeds  or  flags, 
in  order  to  pre- 
vent its  removal 
by  tlie  current. 
The  eggs,  five  or 
six  in  number,  are 
of  a  dirty  white, 
and  somewhat  less 
than  those  of  a 
Pigeon.  These  are 
generally  covered 
with  weeds  for 
soncealment  in  the 
absence  of  the 
birds ;  yet  with 
every  precaution 
they  are  frequently  destroyed  by  the  Water  Eat. 

In  large  rivers  these  'little  divers  are  often  devoured  by  Pike 
and  Trout,  while  they  are  themselves  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  small 
fish.  In  the  spring  the  males  are  very  active  in  pursuit  of  their 
intended  mates,  and  at  such  times  frequently  fly  along  the  surface  of 
the  water  to  a  small  distance,  uttering  often  a  shrill  chattering  noise. 


LITTLE   GREBL 


THE   LITTLE   GREBE,    OR    DABCHICK. 


355 


JJTTLK    OREBE   AND    THEIB    NESTS. 


After  the  breeding  season,  they  frequent  the  inlets  of  the  sea,,  and  feed 
on  shrimps  and  other  marine  productions.     This  species  is  not  uncom- 
mon in  most  parts  of  the  old  continent. 
23 


356 


THE  RED  PHALAROPE. 


THE  RED  PHALAROPE. 

The  Flat-billed,  or  Red  Phalarope,  inhabits  the  whole  >rctK' 
during  summer,  where,  in  the  security  of  solitude,  it  passes  the  import 
ant  period  of  reproduction.  It  is  observed  in  the  north  ar.d  5ast  of 
Europe;  in  abundance  in  Siberia,  upon  the  banks  of  lakes  and  livers, 
and  it  extends  its  vernal  migrations  to  the  borders  of  the  Caspian  They 
abound  in  the  hyperboreal  regions  of  America,  breeding  on  the  North 
Georgian  Islands,  and  the  remote  and  wintry  coasts  of  Mellville 
Peninsula.  The  late  enterprising  and  scientific  northern  navigators, 
on  the  10th  of  June,  in  the  latitude  of  68°,  saw  a  company  of  these 
little  daring  voyagers  out  at  tea,  four  miles  from  land,  swimming 
at  their  ease,  amidst  mountains  of  ice.  They  are  seen  also  by  mari- 
ners between  Asia  and  America.  According  to  Mr.  Bullook/  the 
Red  Phalarope  is  found  common  in  the  marshes  of  Sunda  and  Westra, 
the  most  northerly  of  the  Orkney  Isles,  where  they  pass  the  breeding 
ieason,  and  are  there  so  tame,  and  little  alarmed  by  the  destructive 
arts  of  man,  as  to  suffer  the  report  of  a  guii  without  fear,  so  that  Mr, 

B.  killed  as  many  as 
nine  of  them  without 
moving  from  the 
spot  where  he  made 
the  first  discharge. 
"When  seen  swim 
ming  in  pools,  it  is 
continually  dipping 
the  bill  into  the 
water  as  if  feeding 
on  some  minute 
insects,  and  while 
thus  engaged  it  will 
often  allow  of  a  ve''y 
near  approach. 
When  disturbed 
they  fly  out  a  short 
distance  only,  like 
tne  Dunlins.  Sometimes,  though  rarely,  they  are  seen  to  approach 
the  shore  or  the  land  in  quest  of  food,  but  their  proper  element  is  tne 
water,  and  more  particularly  that  of  the  sea  or  saline  pools. 

The  Flat-billed  Phalarope  breeds  around  Hudson's  Bay  in  the  month 
of  June,  soon  after  their  arrival  from  their  tropical  winter  quarters  ; 
for  this  purpose,  they  select  some  dry  and  grassy  spot,  wherein  they 
lay  about  four  eggs  of  an  oil-green  color,  crowded  with  irregu- 
lar spots  of  dark  umber  brown,  which  become  confluent  towards  the 
obtuse  end.  The  young  take  to  wing  in  July,  or  early  in  August,  s,nd 
they  leave  the  inclement  shores  of  their  nativity  in  the  month  of 
September.  At  this  period,  as  well  as  in  the  spring,  a  few  stragglers 
visit  the  United  States,  where  they  have  been  occasionally  shot  in  the 
vicinity  of  Philadelphia  and  Boston.  These  and  other  species  are  also 


RED   PHALAROPE. 


THE    HOOPER,    OR    WHISTLING   SWAN. 


357 


seen,  in  the  autumn,  about  Vera  Cruz,  where  they  are  sola  with  other 
game  in  the  market.  Their  visits  in  England  and  Germany  are  equally 
rare  as  in  the  United  States,  and  they  have  been  known  sometimes  to 
stray  into  Switzerland,  having  been  shot  on  the  lake  of  Geneva. 

SWIMMERS. 

IN  the  Anserts,  or  Swimmers,  the  bill  is  smooth,  obtuse  at  the  point, 
and  covered  with  a  membranaeeous  skin.  The  legs  are  short  and 
compressed ;  and  the  feet  formed  for  swimming,  the  toes  being  con- 
nected by  a  membrane. 

OF  THE  DUCK  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  bill  in  this  tribe  (which  comprehends  Swans  and  Geese,  as  well 
as  Ducks)  is  strong,  broad,  flat,  and  generally  furnished  at  the  end 
with  a  kind  of  nail :  the  edges  of  the  mandibles  are  marked  with  sharp 
eerratures.  The  nostrils  are  small  and  oval.  The  tongue  is  broad, 
having  the  edges  fringed  near  the  base.  The  toes  are  four  in  number, 
three  before  and  one  behind ;  the  middle  one  is  the  longest. 


THE   HOOPER    OR  WHISTLING   SWAN 

The  Whistling  Swan  is  somewhat  smaller  than  the  tame  speciaa 
The  bill  is  three 
inches  long ;  yel- 
lowish white  to  the 
middle,  but  black 
at  the  end.  The 
whole  plumage  is 
white;  and  the 
legs  are  black. 

This  species  is  an 
inhabitant  of  the 
northern  regions ; 
never  appearing  in 
England,  except  in 
hard  winters,  when 
flocks  of  five  or  six 
are  now  and  then 
seen. 

In  Iceland  these 
birds  are  an  object 
of  chase.  In  the 
month  of  August  they  lose  their  feathers  to  such  a  degree,  as  not  to 
be  able  to  fly.  The  natives,  at  that  season,  resort  in  great  numbers  to 
the  places  where  they  most  abound  ;  and  are  accompanied  with  dogs; 
and  active  and  strong  horses,  trained  to  the  sport,  and  capable  of 


«00*«Ml,   OR  WHISTLING   SWAX. 


358  THE  TAME,  OR  MUTE  SWAN. 

passing  nimbly  over  the  boggy  soil  and  marches.     The  Swans  are 
able  to  run  as  fast  as  a  tolerably  fleet  horse.     The  greater  number 
are  caught  by  the  dogs,  which  are  taught  to  seize  them  by  the  neck 
a  mode  of  attack  that  causes  them  to  lose  their  balance,  and  become 
an  easy  prey. 

Notwithstanding  their  size,  these  birds  are  so  extremely  swift  on  the 

wing,  when  in  full  feather,  as  to 
make  them  more  difficult  to  be  shot 
than  almost  any  others ;  it  being  fre- 
quently necessary  to  aim  ten  or 
twelve  feet  before  their  bills.  This, 
however,  is  only  when  they  are 
flying  before  the  wind  in  a  brisk 
gale ;  at  which  time  they  seldom 
proceed  at  the  rate  of  less  than  a 
hundred  miles  an  hour:  but  when 

ovt.-v.i.  /-I         •  i  i  •  • 

flying  across  the  wind  or  against  it, 
they  are  not  able  to  make  any  great  progress. 

The  present  species  has  several  marks  of  distinction  from  that  called 
by  us  the  Tame  Swan :  but  the  most  remarkable  one  is  the  strange 
form  of  the  windpipe ;  which  falls  into  the  chest,  then  turns  back  like 
a  trumpet,  and  afterwards  makes  a  second  bend  to  join  the  lungs. 
By  this  curious  construction  the  bird  is  enabled  to  utter  a  loud  and 
shrill  note.  The  tame  Swan  on  the  contrary,  is  the  most  silent  of  all 
the  feathered  tribes  ;  it  can  do  nothing  more  than  hiss,  which  it  does 
on  receiving  any  provocation.  The  vocal  Swan  emits  its  loud  notes 
only  when  flying,  or  calling :  the  sound  is  whoogh,  whoogh,  very  loud 
and  shrill,  but  not  disagreeable  when  heard  high  in  the  air  and  mod- 
ulated by  the  winds.  The  Icelanders  compare  it  to  the  notes  of  the 
violin ;  they  hear  it  at  the  end  of  their  long  and  gloomy  winter,  when 
the  return  of  the  Swans  announces  also  the  return  of  summer ;  every 
note,  therefore,  must  to  them  be  melodious,  which  presages  a  speedy 
thaw,  and  a  release  from  their  tedious  confinement. 


THE    TAME,    OR    MUTE    SWAN. 

Nothing  can  exceed  the  beauty  and  elegance  with  which  the  Swan 
rows  itself  along  in  the  water,  throwing  itself  into  the  proudest 
attitudes  imaginable  before  the  spectators ;  and  there  is  not  perhaps  in 
all  nature  a  more  lively  or  striking  image  of  dignity  and  grace. 

This  bird  is  able  to  swim  faster  than  a  man  can  walk.  The  Swan 
ig  very  strong,  and  at  times  extremely  fierce :  and  this  bird  has  not 
nnfrequently  been  known  to  throw  down  and  trample  upon  youths  of 
fifteen  or  sixteen  years  of  age ;  and  an  old  Swan,  we  are  told,  is  able  to 
break  the  leg  of  a  man  with  a  single  stroke  of  its  wing.  A  female, 
while  in  the  act  of  sitting,  observed  a  Fox  swimming  towards  her  from 
the  opposite  shore :  she  instantly  darted  into  the  water,  and  having 
kept  it  at  bay  for  a  considerable  time  with  her  wings,  at  last  succeeded 
in  drowning  him ;  after  which,  in  the  sight  of  several  persons,  sho 


THE   BLACK  SWAN SNOW   GOOSE. 


359 


returned  to  her  nest  in  triumph.  This  circumstance  took  place  at 
Pensy  in  Buckinghamshire. 

Swans  are  very  long-lived,  sometimes  attaining  the  great  age  of  a 
hundred  years.  The  flesh  of  the  old  birds  is  hard  and  ill-tasted  ;  but 
that  of  the  young-ones,  or  cygnets,  was  formerly  much  esteemed. 

The  Swan  makes  its  nest  of  grass,  among  reeds ;  and  in  February 


begins  to  lay,  depositing  an  egg  every  other  day  till  there  are  six  or 
eight.  These  occupy  six  weeks  in  hatching.  Dr.  Latham  says,  he 
knew  two  females  that  for  three  or  four  years  successively  agreed  to 
associate,  and  had  each  a  brood  yearly,  bringing  up  together  about 
eleven  young-ones :  they  sat  by  turns,  and  never  quarrelled.  These 
birds  are  found  wild  in  Russia  and  Siberia. 


THE    BLACK    SWAN. 


"  Like  a  Black  Swan,"  was  formerly  a  well  known  proverb,  analogovs 
to  the  Horse  Marines  of  the  present  day ;  unfortunately  for  the  provei  b 
a  Swan  has  been  discovered  in  Australia,  the  whole  of  whose  plumage 
is  a  jetty  black,  with  the  exception  of  the  quill  feathers,  which  aie 
white.  It  has  been  domesticated  in  England,  and  may  be  seen  in  St 
Park,  eagerly  seeking  after  the  crumbs  offered  by  juvenile 
It  is  rather  smaller  than  the  Whistling  Swan. 


James7 
hands. 


THE    SNOW    GOOSE. 


This  bird  is  about  the  size  of  the  common  Goose.     The  upper  man- 


SNOW  GOOSK 


360  THE   WILD   GOOSE. 

dible  of  the  bill  is  scarlet,  and  the  lower  one  whitish.  The  general 
color  of  the  plumage  is  white  ;  except  the  first  ten  quills  of  the  wings, 
which  are  black  with  white  shafts.  The  young  birds  are  of  a  blue 
eolor,  till  they  are  a  year  old.  The  legs  are  red. 

Snow  Geese  are  very  numerous  about  Hudson's  Bay ;  where  they 
are  migratory,  going  further  northward  to  breed.  They  are  also 
found  in  several  of  the  northern  parts  of  the  Old  Continent. 

These  birds  have  so  little  of  the  shyness  of  other  Geese,  that,  about 
Jakut,  and  the  other  parts  cf  Siberia  which 
they  frequent,  they  are  caught  in  the  most 
ridiculous  manner  imaginable.  The  inhabi- 
tants place  near  the  banks  of  the  rivers  a  great 
net  in  a  straight  line ;  or  else  form  a  hovel  of 
skins  sewed  together.  This  done,  one  of  the 
company  dresses  himself  ia  the  skin  of  a  white 
rein-deer,  advances  towards  the  flock  of  Geese, 
and  then  turns  back  towards  the  net  or  hovel ; 
and  his  companions  go  behind  the  flock,  and, 
by  making  a  noise,  drive  them  forward.  The 
simple  birds  mistake  the  man  in  white  for  their 
lea,der,  and  follow  him  within  reach  of  the  net ;  which  is  suddenly 
pulled  down,  and  thus  captures  the  whole.  When  he  chooses  to  con- 
duct them  even  into  the  hovel,  they  follow  in  a  similar  manner;  he 
creeps  in  at  a  hole  left  for  that  purpose,  and  out  at  another  on  the 
opposite  side,  which  he  closes  up.  The  Geese  follow  him  through  the 
first ;  and  as  soon  as  they  are  in,  he  passes  around  and  secures  every 
one  of  them.  In  that  frozen  climate  the  Snow  Geese  afford  an  essential 
means  of  subsistence  to  the  natives  ;  and  their  feathers  are  an  article 
of  commerce.  Each  family  kill  thousands  in  a  season;  and,  after 
plucking  and  gntting  them,  they  fling  them  in  heaps,  into  holes 
dug  for  that  purpose,  and  covered  only  with  earth.  The  mould  freezes 
and  forms  over  them  an  arch ;  and  whenever  the  family  have  occasion 
to  open  one  of  these  magazines,  they  find  their  provisions  perfectly 
nweet  and  good. 


THE  WILD   GOOSE. 

These  birds  are  often  seen  in  flocks  of  from  fifty  to  a  hundred, 
flying  at  very  great  heights,  and  seldom 
resting  by  day.  Their  cry  is  frequently 
heard  while,  from  their  distance  above,  they 
are  imperceptible  to  the  sight.  Whether 
this  be  their  note  of  mutual  encouragement, 
or  only  the  necessary  consequence  of  respira- 
tion, seems  doubtful ;  but  they  seldom  exert 
it  when  they  alight  in  their  journeys.  On 
the  ground  they  always  arrange  themselves 
in  a  line,  and  seem  to  descend  rather  for  rest 
wn*  oooeu.  than  refreshment ,  for  having  continued 


THE    T1LO    GOOSE. 


WILD   GEX8E. 


there  an  hour  or  two,  one  of  them  with  a  long  loud  nc«ie,  sorji«k 

kind   of  signal,  to  which    the   rest   always 

punctually  attend,  and,  rising  in  a   group, 

they   pursue    their   journey   with   alacrity. 

Their  flight  is  conducted  with  vast  regular- 

ity..   They  always  proceed  either  in  a  line 

abreast,  or  in  two  lines  joining  in  an  angle 

at  the  middle.    In  this  order  they  often  take 

the  lead  by  turns,  the  foremost  falling  back 

in  the   rear  when   tired,  and   the  next  in 

station   taking  his   place.      Their  track   is 

generally  so  high,  that  it  is  almost  impossi- 

ble to  reach  them  from  a  fowling-piece  ;  and 

even  when  this  can  be  done,  they  file  so  equally,  that  one  discharge 
seldom  kills  more  than  a"  single  bird. 

They  breed  in  the  plains  and  marshes  about 
Hudson's  Bay  in  North  America  :  in  some  years 
the  young  ones  are  caught  in  considerable  num- 
bers •  and  at  this  age  they  are  easily  tamed.  ,  It 
is,  however,  singular,  that  they  will  never  learn 
to  eat  corn,  unless  some  of  the  old  ones  be  caught 


along  with  them. 


362 


THE    BERXACLE    GOOSE. 


These  birds  arc  kept  in  vast  quantites  in  the  fens  of  Lincolnshire 
several  persons  there  having  as  many  as  a  thousand 
breeders.  They  are  bred  for  the  sake  of  their  quills 
and  feathers;  for  which  they  are  stripped  while 
alive,  once  in  the  year  for  the  quills,  and  five  times 
for  the  feathers. 

However  simple  in  appearance,  or  awkward  in 
gesture,  the  Goose  may  ber  it  is  not  without  many 
marks  both  of  sentiment  and  understanding.  The 
courage  with  which  it  protects  its  offspring  and 
defends  itself  against  ravenous  birdsr  and  certain 
instances  of  attachment  and  even  of  gratitude, 
which  have  been  observed  in  it,  render  our  general 
contempt  of  the  Goose  ill-founded. 


3A»B  CBINA  GtOSS. 


THE    BEBNACLE    GOOSE. 

The  usual  weight  of  this  bird  is  abouk  five  pound's.  The  bill  is  shori 
and  black,  crossed  with  a  flesh -colored  mark  on  each  side.  Part  of  tlia 
head,  the  chin,  throat,  and  under  parts  of  the  body,  and  the  upper  tail- 
coverts  are  wKte ;  and  the  rest  of  the  head  and  neckr  and  the  beginning 
of  the  back,  are  black.  The  thighs  are  mottled.  Round  the  knee  tha 
feathers  are  black ;  and  the  lower  feathers  of  the  back  are  the  same, 
edared  with  white  The  win^-coverts  and  scapulars  are  blue  gray. 
Of  rtJ.  the  marvellous  productions  which  ignorance,,  ever  credulous^ 

has  substituted  for  the 
simple  and  truly  won- 
derful operations  of 
nature,  perhaps  the 
most  absurd  is  the 
assertion  that  this  spe- 
cies of  Goose  grows  m 
a  kind  of  sliell?  called 
Lepas  anatifera,  (Goose- 
bearing  shell)  on  certaio 
trees  on  the  coast  of 
Scotland  and  the  Ork- 
neys, or  on  the  rotten 
timbers  of  old  ships. 

In  winter  Bemads 
Geese  are  not  uncom- 
mon on  many  of  the 
northern  and  western 
coasts  of  Great  Britain ; 
but  they  are  scarce  in 
the  south,  and  are 
there  seldom  seen 
except  in  inclement 
seasons. 


BXRKACUE   GOOSE. 


CANADA  GOOSE. — BRANT,  OR  BRENT  GOOSE. 


363 


THE    CANADA    GOOSE. 

This  is  a  bird  somewhat  bigger  than  the  tame  Goose.  The  bill,  the 
bead,  and  the  neck,  are  black ;  and  under  the  throat  there  is  a  broad 
white  band,  like  a  crescent.  The  breast,  the  upper  part  of  the  belly, 
the  back,  and  wing-coverts,  are  dusky  brown ;  the  lower  parts  of  the 
neck  and  belly,  and  upper  tail-coverts,  white.  The  quills  and  tail 
are  black,  and  the  legs  dark  lead-color. 

Canada  Geese  inhabit  the  more  distant  parts  of  North  America. 
Immense  flocks  of  these  birds  appear  annually  in  the  spring  in 
Hudson's  Bay:  they  pass  further  north  to  breed ;  and  return  south- 
ward in  the  autumn.  The  English  at  Hudson's  Bay  depend  greatly 
on  Geese,  of  this  and  other  kinds,  for  their  support ;  and  in  favorable 
years  they  often  kill  three  or  four  thousand,  which  they  salt  and 
barrel.  The  arrival  of  the  birds  is  impatiently  waited,  because  they 
are  considered  the  harbingers  of  the  spring,  and  the  month  in  which 
they  return  is  named  by  the  Indians  the  Goose  Moon. 

The  English  settlers  send  out  their  servants,  as  well  as  the  Indiana, 
to  shoot  these  birds 
on  their  passage. 
The  men  for  this 
purpose  form  of 
boughs  a  row  of 
huts,  at  gun-shot 
distance  from  each 
other,  and  in  a  line 
across  the  vast 
marshes  of  the 
country.  The 
sportsman  remains 
Tiotionless,  and  on 
his  knees,  with  his 
gun  cocked  the 
whole  time ;  and 
does  not  fire  till  he 
can  perceive  the 
eyes  of  the  Geese. 
The  Geese  that  he 
has  killed,  he  sets  up  on  sticks,  as  if  alive,  to  decoy  others ;  he  also 
makes  artificial  birds  for  the  same  purpose. 

THE    BRANT,    OR    BRENT   GOOSE. 

The  Brent  is  another  of  the  hardy  aquatic  birds  common  to  the  hy- 
perboreal  regions  of  both  continents.  They  breed  in  great  numbers  on 
the  coasts  and  islands  of  Hudson's  Bay  and  the  Arctic  Sea,  and  are 
rarely  seen  in  the  interior.  In  Europe  they  proceed  to  the  most 
northern  isles  of  Greenland,  and  to  the  dreary  shores  of  Spitsbergen. 
In  winter  they  are  very  abundant  in  Holland  and  in  Ireland,  as 


CANADA    GOOSE. 


364 


THE   EIDER    DUCK. 


BRENT  GOOSE. 


well  as  in  Scotland,  where  they  remain  until  spring.  In  America, 
though  they  visit  in  the  course  of  their  migrations,  most  of  the 
Northern  and  Middle  States,  they  proceed  still  farther  south,  to 
spend  the  winter,  being  seen  on  the  Mississippi  nearly  to  New 
Orleans.  They  retire  from  their  natal  regions  in  the  north  in 
September ;  and  early  in  October  are  seen  to  arrive  in  great 
numbers  about  Ipswich,  Cape  Ann,  and  Cape  Cod  in  Massachusetts, 
continuing  to  come  till  the  month  of  November,  and  generally 
appearing  in  great  numbers  after  the  occurrence  of  an  eastwardly 
storm.  In  hazy  weather  they  also  fly  low  and  diverge  into  the  bays 
and  inlets.  Many  of  these  wandering  flocks  pass  on  to  the  south  almost 
without  any  delay,  usually  in  marshalled  and  angular  lines,  but  some- 
times in  a  confused  gang,  loudly  gabbling  as  they  proceed.  Thnr 
atay  here  is  commonly  so  short  that  it  is  necessary  to  ambuscade  in 
huts  on  their  route  in  order  to  obtain  them. 

THE   EIDER   DUCK. 

This  species  is  about  twice  the  size  of  the  common  Duck.  Its  bill 
is  black,  an,d  the  feathers  of  the  forehead  and  cheeks  advance  far  into 
the  base.  In  the  male,  the  feathers  of  part  of  the  head,  of  the  lower 
part  of  the  breast,  the  belly,  and  the  tail,  are  black,  as  are  also  the 
}uill-feathers  of  the  wings  ;  and  nearly  all  the  rest  of  the  body  is  white. 
The  legs  are  green.  The  female  is  of  a  reddish  brown  color,  variously 
marked  with  black  and  dusky  streaks.  The  Eider  Duck  is  principally 


THE   EIDER    DUCK. 


o  n  " 

00  -J 


EIDER  DUCK. 


found  in  the  western  isles  of  Scotland,  and  on  the  coasts  of  Norway, 
Iceland,  and  Greenland. 

In  Iceland,  the  Eider  Ducks  generally  form  their  nests  on  smal] 
islands  not  far  from  the  shore  ;  and  sometimes 
even  near  the  dwellings  of  the  natives,  who  treat 
them  with  so  much  attention  and  kindness  as 
to  render  them  nearly  tame.  Sometimes  two 
females  will  lay  their  eggs  in  the  same  nest,  in 
which  case  they  always  agree  remarkably  well. 

As  long  as  the  female  is  sitting,  the  male 
continues  on  watch  near  the  shore :  but  as  soon 
as  the  young-ones  are  hatched  he  leaves  them. 
The  mother,  however,  remains  with  them  a  considerable  time  after- 
wards. It  is  curious  to  observe  her  manner  of  leading  them  out  of 
the  nest,  almost  as  soon  as  they  creep  from  the  eggs.  Going  before 
them  to  the  shore,  they  trip  after :  and,  when  she  comes  to  the  watti- 
side,  she  takes  them  on  her  back,  and  swims  a  few  yards  with  them ; 
when  she  dives,  and  the  young-ones  are  left  floating  on  the  surface, 
and  are  obliged  to  take  care  of  themselves.  They  are  seldom  seon 
afterwards  on  land. 

From  these  birds  is  produced  the  soft  down  so  well  known  by  iie 
name  of  eider  or  eder- 
down.  This  the  old 
birds  pluck  from 
their  breasts  in  the 
breeding  season,  to 
line  their  nests : 
making  with  it  a  soft 
bed  for  their  young- 
ones.  When  the 
bird-catchers  come  to 
the  nest,  they  care- 
fully remove  the 
female,  and  take 
away  the  superflu- 
ous down  and  eggs ; 
after  this  they  replace 
her.  She  then  begins 
to  lay  afresh,  and 
covers  her  eggs  with  new  down,  which  she  plucks  from  her  body. 
When  she  has  no  more  left,  the  male  comes  to  her  assistance,  and  covers 
the  eggs  with  his  down,  which  is  white,  and  easily  distinguished  from 
,hat  of  the  female.  When  the  young-ones  leave  the  nest,  which  is 
about  an  hour  after  they  are  hatched,  it  is  once  more  plundered. 

The  best  down  and  the  most  eggs,  are  obtained  during  the  first 
three  weeks  after  the  nest  is  formed  ;  and  it  has  generally  been  ob 
served,  that  the  birds  lay  the  greatest  number  of  eggs  in  rainy 
weather.  One  female,  during  the  time  of  laying,  generally  yields 
half  a  pound  of  down  :  which,  however,  is  reduced  one  half  after  it  ia 
cleansed. 


EIDER  DUCK. 


366  THE    GOOSANDER WILD   DUCK. 

The  eider-down,  when  pure,  is  01  such  value  that  it  is  sold  in 
Lapland  for  two  dollars  a  pound.  It  is  extremely  soft  and  warm , 
and  so  light  and  expansive,  that  a  couple  of  handsful  squeezed  together, 
are  sufficient  to  fill  a  down  quilt ; — a  covering  like  a  feather-bed,  used 
in  cold  countries  instead  of  a  common  quilt  or  blanket. 

The  Greeulanders  kill  these  birds  with  darts;  pursuing  them  in 
their  little  boats,  watching  their  course  by  the  air-bubbles  when  they 
dive,  and  always  striking  at  them  when  they  rise 


THE    GOOSANDER. 

The  Goosander  inhabits  the  remote  northern  regions  of  both  con- 
tinents, being  seen 
during  summer  on 
the  borders  of  grassy 
lakes  and  streams 
through  the  whole 
of  the  fur  countries, 
and  are  among  the 
latest  of  their  tribe  in 
autumn  to  seek  an 
asylum  in  milder 
climates.  They  are 
said  to  breed  in 
every  latitude  in  the 
Russian  empire,  but 
mostly  in  the  north. 
They  are  common  also  in  Kamtschatka  and  extend  through  northern 
Europe,  to  the  wintry  shores  of  Iceland  and  Greenland.  Many, 
however,  pass  the  breeding  season  in  the  Orkneys,  and  these  scarcely 
ever  find  any  necessity  to  migrate.  They  are  seen  in  small  families 
or  companies  of  six  or  eight  in  the  United  States  in  winter,  and 
frequent  the  sea  shores,  lakes  and  rivers,  continually  diving  in  quest 
of  their  food,  which  consists  principally  of  fish  and  shelly  mollusca. 
They  are  also  very  gluttonous  and  voracious,  like  the  Albatross 
sometimes  swallowing  a  fish  too  large  to  enter  whole  into  the 
etomach,  which  therefore  lodges  in  the  oesophagus  till  the  lower 
part  is  digested  before  the  remainder  can  follow.  The  roughness 
of  the  tongue,  covered  with  incurved  projections,  and  the  form 
of  the  bent  serratures  which  edge  the  bill,  appear  all  purposely 
contrived  with  reference  to  its  piscatory  habits.  In  the  course  of  the 
season  they  migrate  probably  to  the  extremity  of  the  Union,  being 
•ecu  in  winter  in  the  Mississippi  and  Missouri,  from  whence  at  the 
approach  of  spring  they  migrate  north  or  in  the  interior  to  breed 


THE   COMMON   WILD    DUCK. 

Wild  Ducks  frequent  marshy  places;  but  nowhere  in  such  abund- 
ance as  in  Lincolnshire,  (England,)  where  prodigious  numbers  of  them 


THE  WILD   DUCK. 


367 


are  annually  taken  in  the  decoys.  In  only  ten  decoys  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Wainfleet,  as  many  as  thirty-one  thousand  two  hundred  have  been 
caught  in  one  season. 

A  decoy  is  a 
pond  generally 
situated  in  a 
marsh,  so  as  to 
be  surrounded 
with  wood  or 
reeds,  and,  if 
possible,  with 
both,  for  the 
purpose  of  pre- 
venting the 
birds  which  fre- 
quent it  from 
being  dis- 
turbed. In  this 
pond  the  birds 
sleep  during  the 
day,  and,  as 
soon  as  the  eve- 
ning sets  in,  the 
decoy  rises,  (as 
it  is  termed,) 
and  the  wild- 
fowl feed  dur- 
ing the  night. 

It'  the  evening  be  still,  the  noise  of  their  wings  during  flight 
is  heard  at  a  great  distance,  and  is  a  pleasing  though  somewhat 
melancholy  sound.  The  decoy-ducks  (which  are  either  bred  in 
the  pond-yard,  or  in  the  marshes  adjacent,  and  which,  although 
they  fly  abroad,  regularly  return  for  food  to  the  pond,  and  mix  with 
the  tarne  ones  that  never  quit  the  pond)  are  fed  with  hemp-seed,  oats, 
and  buck-wheat.  In  catching  the  wild  birds,  hemp-seed  is  thrown 
over  the  screens  to  allure  them  forward  into  the  pipes  ;  of  which  there 
are  several,  leading  up  a  narrow  ditch,  that  closes  at  last  with  &  funnel- 
net  Over  these  pipes,  which  grow  narrower  from  the  first,  entrance, 
there  is  a  continued  arch  of  netting  suspended  on  hoops.  It  is 
necessary  to  have  a  pipe  for  almost  every  wind  that  can  blow,  as  on 
that  circumstance  it  depends  which  pipe  the  fowl  will  take  to.  The 
ilixjoy-man  likewise  always  keeps  to  the  leeward  of  the  wild-fowl,  and 
burns  in  his  mouth  or  hand  a  piece  of  Dutch  turf,  that  his  effluvia  may 
not  reach  them  ;  for,  if  they  once  discover  by  the  smell  that  a  man  is 
near,  they  all  instantly  take  flight.  Along  each  pipe  are  placed  reed 
screens,  at  certain  intervals,  to  prevent  him  from  being  seen  till  ho 
thinks  proper  to  show  himself,  or  the  birds  have  passed  up  the  pipe 
to  which  they  are  led  by  the  trained  Ducks,  (which  know  the  man's 
whistle,)  or  enticed  by  the  hemp-seed.  A  Dog  is  sometimes  used,  who 
is  taught  to  play  backward  and  forward  between  the  screens,  at  tl«6 


WILD    Dr(K. 


368  THE   COMMON   WILD   DUCK. 

direction  of  his  master.  The  fowl  roused  by  this  new  object,  advance 
X) wards  it,  while  the  Dog  is  playing  still  nearer  the  entrance  of  the 
pipes]  till  at  last  the  decoy-man  appears  from  behind  the  screens,  and 
the  wild-fowl  not  daring  to  pass  by  him,  and  unable  to  fly  off  on 
account  of  the  net  covering  the  hoops,  press  forward  to  the  end  of  the 
funnel-net,  which  terminates  upon  the  land,  where  a  person  is  stationed . 
ready  to  take  them.  The  trained  birds  return  back  past  the  decoy- 
men,  into  the  pond,  till  a  repetition  of  their  services  is  required. 

Wild  Ducks  are  very  artful  birds.  They  do  not  always  build  their 
nests  close  to  the  water,  but  often  at  a  considerable  distance  from  it ; 
in  which  case  the  female  will  take  the  young-ones  in  her  beak,  or 
between  her  legs,  to  the  water.  They  have  sometimes  been  known  to 
lay  their  eggs  in  a  high  tree,  in  a  deserted  Magpie  or  Crow's  nest ;  and 
an  instance  has  been  recorded  of  one  being  found  at  Etchingham,  in 
Sussex,  sitting  upon  nine  eggs,  in  an  oak,  at  the  height  of  twenty-five 
feet  from  the  ground :  the  eggs  were  supported  by  some  small  twigs 
laid  crossways. 

Prodigious  numbers  of  these  birds  are  taken  by  decoys,  near  3*1- 
cardy  in  France,  particularly  on  the  river  Somme.  It  is  customary 
there,  to  wait  for  the  flock's  passing  over  certain  known  places :  when 
the  sportsman  having  ready  a  wicker  cage  containing  a  number  of 
tame  birds,  lets  out  one  at  a  time,  which  enticing  the  passengers 
within  gua-shot,  five  or  six  are  often  killed  at  once  by  an  expert 
marksman.  They  are  now  and  then  also  caught  by  means  of  hooks 
baited  with  raw  meat,  which  the  birds  swallow  while  swimming  on 
the  water. 

Other  methods  of  catching  Ducks  and  Geese  are  peculiar  to  certain 
nations :  one  of  these,  from  its  singularity,  seems  worth  mentioning. 
A  person  wades  into  the  water  up  to  the  chin  ;  and,  having  his  he -id 
covered  with  an  empty  calabash,  approaches  the  place  where  the  Due  ks 
are.  These,  not  regarding  an  object  of  this  kind,  suffer  the  ixan 
freely  to  mix  with  the  flock ;  and  he  has  only  to  pull  them  by  the 
legs  under  the  water,  one  after  another,  and  fix  them  to  his  belt,  till 
he  is  satisfied.  This  curious  method  is  frequently  practised  on  the 
river  Ganges,  the  earthen  vessels  of  the  Gentoos  being  there  used  in- 
stead of  calabashes.  These  vessels  are  what  the  Gentoos  boil  their 
rice  in :  after  having  been  once  used,  they  are  considered  as  defiled, 
and  are  thrown  into  the  river  as  useless.  The  duck-takers  find  them 
convenient  for  their  purpose ;  as  the  Ducks,  from  seeing  them  constantly 
float  down  the  stream,  consider  them  as  objects  not  to  be  regarded. 

The  Chinese  make  great  use  of  Ducks,  but  prefer  as  food  the  tame 
to  the  wild  ones.  It  is  said  that  the  major  part  of  the  Ducks  in  China 
are  hatched  by  artificial  heat.  The  eggs,  being  laid  in  boxes  of  sand, 
are  placed  on  a  brick  hearth,  to  which  is  given  a  proper  heat  during 
the  time  required  for  hatching.  The  Ducklings  are  fed  with  craw-fish 
and  crabs,  boiled  and  cut  small,  and  afterwards  mixed  with  boiled 
rice:  and  in  about  a  fortnight  they  are  able  to  shift  for  themselves. 
The  Chinese  then  provide  them  an  old  stepmother  who  leads  them 
where  to  find  provender  ;  being  first  put  on  board  a  sampane,  or  boat, 
is  destined  for  their  habitation ;  a.ud  from  which  the  whole 


THE   GARGANEY. 


369 


flock,  often  to  the  amount  of  three  or  four  hundred,  go  out  to  feed, 

and  return  at  command.     This  method  is  used  nine  months  out  of 

twelve,  (for   in  the   colder  months  it 

does  not  succeed,)  and  it  is  so  far  from 

a  novelty,  that  it  may  every  where  be 

seen,'  but   more   especially  about   the 

time  of  cutting  the  rice,  and  gleaning 

the   crop,   when    the   masters   of  the 

Puck  sampanes  row  up  and  down  the 

river,  according  to  the  opportunity  of 

procuring   food,    which    is    found    in 

plenty,  at  the  tide  of  ebb,  on  the  rice 

plantations,  as  they  are  overflowed  at 

high  water.     It  is  curious  to  observe 

how  the  Ducks  obey  their  masters ;  for  some  thousands,  belonging  to 

different  boats  will  feed  on  the  sane  spot,  and,  on  a  signal  given,  will 

follow  their  leader  to   their  respective  sampanes,  without   a  single 

stranger  being  found  among  them.     This  'is  still  more  extraordinary, 

if  we  consider  the  number  of  inhabited  sampanes*  on  the  Tigris: 

there  are  supposed  to  be  no  fewer  than  forty  thousand;  they  am 

moored  in  rows  close  to  each  other,  with  here  and  there  a  narrow 

passage  for  boats  to  sail  up  and  down  the  river. 


CHINESE.DCCK. 


THE    GARGANEY. 

This  bird  is  somewhat  larger  than  the  Teal.  The  bill  is  black 
The  crown  and  hind  part  of  the  head  are  of 
a  dusky  brown.  On  the  chin  there  is  a  large 
black  spot ;  and,  from  the  eye,  a  white  streak 
passes  to  the  back  of  the  head.  The  cheeks 
and  neck  are  of  a  pale  purple  and  white. 
The  breast  is  light  brown,  crossed  with  semi- 
circular bars  of  black  :  and  the  belly  is  white, 
having  its  lower  parts  varied  with  dusky 
specks.  The  legs  are  lead-colored. 

A  couple  of  these  birds  were  for  more  than  two  months  in  the 
possession  of  M.  Frisch,  who  has  given  the  following  detail  of  their 
mode  of  living  in  this  sort  of  incipient  domestication.  4t  I  presented 
to  them  (he  says)  different  seeds,  and  they  would  touch  none :  but 
scarcely  had  I  set  beside  their  water-trough,  a  basin  filled  with  millet, 
than  thev  both  ran  to  it.  At  every  bill-full  which  they  took  each 
went  to  the  water,  and  they  carried  as  much  water  as,  in  a  short  time, 
completely  to  soak  the  millet ;  yet  the  grain  was  not  moistened  suffi- 
ciently to  their  mind,  and  I  saw  them  busied  in  carrying  millet  and 
water  to  the  ground  of  their  pen,  which  was  of  clay,  and  when  the 
bottom  was  softened  and  tempered  enough,  they  began  to  dabble,  and 

*  Sampane  is  a  common  name  for  a  boat :  the  inhabited  sampanes  contain  each 
a  separate  family,  of  which  they  are  the  only  dwelling ;  and  many  of  the  Chinese 
pass  almost  their  whole  lives  in  this  manner  on  the  water 


.70 


THE   GADWALL,   OR   GREY. 


made  a  cavity,  in  which  they  ate  their  millet,  mixed  with  earth.  1 
put  them  into  a  room,  and  they  carried  in  the  same  way,  though  to 
little  purpose,  the  millet  and  water  to  the  deal  floor.  I  led  them  on 
the  grassland  they  seemed  to  do  nothing  but  dig  for  seeds,  without 
eating  the  blades,  or  even  the  earth-worms.  They  pursued  flies,  and 
snapped  at  them  like  Ducks.  When  I  delayed  to  give  them  their  ac- 
customed food,  they  called  for  it  with  a  feeble  hoarse  cry,  quoak} 
repeated  every  minute.  In  the  evening  they  lay  in  the  corners ;  and 
t  ven  during  the  day,  when  any  person  went  near  them,  they  hid 
themselves  in  the  narrowest  holes.  They  lived  thus  till  the  approach 
of  winter,  but  when  the  severe  cold  set  in,  they  both  died  suddenly." 


THE   GADWALL,  OR   GREY. 

The  Gad  wall  inhabits  the  northern  regions  of  both  continents,  but 

does  not  in  America, 
according  to  Richard- 
son, proceed  farther 
than  the  68th  parallel, 
and  in  Europe  it  seems 
not  to  advance  higher 
than  Sweden.  In  the 
Russian  empire  it  ex- 
tends over  most  of  the 
latitudes  of  the  Euro- 
pean and  Siberian  part, 
except  the  east  of  the 
latter  and  Kamtschat- 
ka.  In  their  migrations  they  pass  chiefly  into  the  warmer  parts  of 
Europe,  being  very  rare  in  England,  but  common  on  the  coasts  of 
France,  Italy,  and  Sardinia.  In  the  United  States  it  appears  to  be 
generally  rare.  A  few  of  the  young  birds  are  seen  in  this  vicinity  ; 
and  Wilson  met  with  it  in  the  interior  on  Seneca  Lake,  in  October, 
and  in  February,  at  Louisville  on  the  Ohio  ;  and  near  the  Big  Bone 
Lick,  in  Kentucky. 

The  Gadwall  breeds  in  the  woody  districts  of  the  remote  northern 
fur  countries  of  Canada.  In  the  north  of  Europe  they  inhabit  the 
vast  rushy  marshes ;  and  in  Holland,  where  they  are  common,  they 
associate  in  the  same  places  with  the  Wild  Duck  or  Mallard.  They 
nest  in  meadows  and  among  rushes,  laying  eight  or  nine  greenish 
gray  egg.q.  They  are  very  much  esteemed  as  game,  are  very  alert  at 
diving  and  swimming,  and  plunging  at  the  flash  of  the  gun  are  ob- 
tained with  difficulty.  It  is  very  timorous,  lurking  in  the  marshes  by 
day,  feeding  only  in  the  twilight  of  the  morning  and  evening,  and 
often  till  some  time  after  night-fall ;  they  are  then  heard  flying  in 
company  with  the  Whistlers,  and  like  these  obey  the  call  of  the  decoy 
Ducks.  Their  cry  much  resembles  that  of  the  common  Wild  Duck  ; 
nor  is  it  more  raucous  or  louder,  though  Gesner  seems  to  have  meant 
to  characterize  its  note  by  applying  the  epithet  strepera,  which  has  been 


THE  AMERICAN   WIDGEON.  371 

adopted  by  succeeding  ornithologists.     Their  food,  consists  of  small 
fish,  shelly  mollusca,  insects  and  aquatic  plants. 

THE   AMERICAN   WIDGEON. 

This  species,  so  nearly  allied  to  the  European  Widgeon,  has  not  been 
round  in  the  old  continent,  yet  it  retires  north  to  breed,  inhabiting  in 
-summer  the  woody  districts  of  the  remote  fur  countries,  near  Hudson's 
Bay,  as  far  as  the  68th  degree  of  latitude.  In  autumn  and  winter 
they  are  seen  common  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  Union,  many 
wintering  in  North  and  South  Carolina  in  the  open  rivers  and 
•bays,  sometimes  considerably  inland.  Indeed  I  have  never  seen  them 
any  where  so  numerous  as  in  the  Neuse  river,  round  Newbern,  forty 
miles  from  the  ocean,  where  in  company  with  the  Canvas  Back  and 
Buflfel-Head,  they  are  seen  constantly  in  February  and  March.  They 
are  also  numerous  in  Chesapeake  Bay;  and  in  the  coarse  of  the 
winter  extend  their  migrations  as  far  as  St.  Domingo  and  other  of 
the  West  India  islands,  as  well  as  into  Cayenne  in  the  tropical  parts 
of  the  continent.  They  are  also  observed  in  the  interior  of  the 
United  States,  as  on  the  Missouri,  and  probably  other  inland  parts, 
where  in  the  month  of  April,  as  well  as  on  the  sea  coast,  they  are 
seen  on  their  way  to  their  northern  breeding  places  to  which  they 
•repair  in  May,  on  the  thawing  of  the  ice,  and  are  then  commonly 
associated  by  pairs.  According  to  Hutchins  their  eggs  are  from  six 
to  eight;  and  they  frequent  the  swamps,  and  feed  much  on  insects. 

The  Widgeon,  or  Bald-Pate,  is  a  frequent  attendant  on  the  Canvas- 
Back,  and  often  profits  by  this  association.  The  former,  not  being 
commonly  in  the  habit  of  diving  for  subsistence,  or  merely  from 
caprice,  watches  the  motions  of  its  industrious  neighbor,  and  as  soon 
as  the  Canvas-Back  rises  with  the  favorite  root  on  which  they  both 
greedily  feed,  the  Bald-Pate  snatches  the  morsel  and  makes  off  with 
his  booty.  They  are  always  very  alert  and  lively,  feeding  and  swim 
ming  out  into  the  ponds  and  rivers  at  all  hours  of  the  day,  but  are 
extremely  watchful,  sheltering  in  coves  and  behind  the  land,  and  on 
the  slightest  attempt  to  steal  upon  them,  immediately  row  out  into 
the  stream  beyond  gun-shot,  and  then  only  take  to  wing  when  much 
disturbed. 

THE   SUMMER,  OR  WOOD   DUCK. 

This  most  beautiful  of  Ducks  seems  to  be  dressed  in  a  studied  attiie, 

to  which  the  addition  of  a  flowing  crest 
adds  a  finish  of  peculiar  elegance ;  and 
hence  Linnaeus  has  dignified  the  species 
with  the  title  of  sponsa  or  the  bride 
This  splendid  bird,  according  to  Nut- 
tall,  is  peculiar  to  America  but  extends 
its  residence  from,  the  cold  regions  of 
Hudson's  Bay  in  the  54th  parallel  to 
Mexico  and  the  Antilles.  Throughout 
a  great  part  of  this  vast  space,  or  at 


872 


THE  SUMMER,  OR  WOOD  DUCK. 


least  as  far  south  as  Florida  and  the  Mississippi  territory,  the  Summer 
Duck  is  known  to  breed.  In  the  interior  they  are  also  found  in  the 
State  of  Missouri,  and  along  the  woody  borders  and  still  streams 
which  flow  into  most  of  the  great  north-western  lakes  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence. The  Summer  Duck,  so  called  from  its  constant  residence  in 
the  United  States,  has  indeed  but  little  predilection  for  the  sea  coast, 
its  favorite  haunts  being  the  solitary,  deep,  and  still  waters,  ponds, 
woody  lakes,  and  the  mill  dams  in  the  interior,  making  its  nest  often 
in  decayed  and  hollow  trees  impending  over  the  water. 


SUMMER   DUCK. 


Though  many  migrate  probably  to  the  shores  of  the  Mexican  Gulf 
numbers  pass  the  winter  in  the  States  south  of  Virginia.  Early  in 
February  they  are  seen  associated  by  pairs  on  the  inundated  banks 
of  the  Alabama,  and  are  frequent  at  the  same  season  in  the  waters  of 
West  Florida.  In  Pennsylvania  they  usually  nest  late  in  April  or 
early  in  May,  choosing  the  hollow  of  some  broken  or  decayed  tree, 


THE   AMERICAN   TEAL. 


373 


and  00K\<  times  even  constructing  a  rude  nest  of  sticks  in  the  forks  of 
branches.  The  eggs  twelve  or  thirteen  are  yellowish- white,  rather 
less  than  those  of  the  domestic  Uen,  and  they  are  usually  covered 
wuh  down,  probably  plucked  from  the  breast  of  the  parent.  The 
game  tree  is  sometimes  occupied,  by  the  same  pair,  for  several 
successive  years,  in  the  breeding  season.  The  young,  when  hatched, 
are  carried  down  in  the  bill  of  the  female,  and  afterwards  conducted 
by  her  to  the  nearest  water.  To  these  places,  when  once  selected,  if 
not  disturbed,  they  sometimes  show  a  strong  predilection,  and  are  not 
easily  induced  to  forsake  the  premises,  however  invaded  by  noise  and 
bustle.  While  the  female  is  sitting,  the  male  is  usually  perched  on 
some  Adjoining  limb  of  the  same  tree,  keeping  watch  for  their 
common  safety.  The  species  is  scarcely  ever  gregarious,  they  are 
only  seen  in  pairs  or  by  families. 

The  Wood  Duck  has  sometimes  been  tamed,  and  soon  becomes 
familiar.  They  have  even  been  so  far  domesticated  as  to  run  about 
at  large  in  the  barn  yard  like  ordinary  fowls.  In  France  they  have 
alao  been  acclimated  and  tamed,  and  have  bred  in  this  condition. 


THE   AMERICAN   TEAL. 

The  Green- Winged  Teal,  as  a  species,  is  common  to  the  northern 
and  temperate 
parts  of  both  con- 
tinents.  The 
American  bird 
appears  to  be  a 
permanent  and 
distinct  variety. 
There  is,  accord- 
ing to  Dr.  Rich- 
ardson, however, 
in  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Museum,  a 
specimen  from 
the  fur  countries 
agreeing  in  all 
respects  with  the 
European  species. 
Our  variety  is 
abundant  to  the 
extremity  of  the  continent,  both  in  the  woody  and  barren  districts  of 
the  remote  fur  countries  of  Hudson's  Bay.  It  is  also  plentiful  about 
Severn  river,  in  the  woods  and  plains  near  fresh  waters,  where  it 
breeds,  the  young  being  about  six  or  seven  at  a  hatch.  It  feeds 
much  upon  fresh-water  insects,  seeds,  and  aquatic  plants,  and  when 
fat  is  delicate  food.  In  the  autumn  and  winter  it  is  very  common 
throughout  the  waters  of  the  United  States,  both  in  the  interior  and 
contiguous  to  the  sea  coast.  In  the  course  of  the  winter  they  retire 
*•  far  south  as  Jamaica  aud  are  probably  common  also  along  the 


AMERICAN   TEAL. 


374  THE  MUSK,  OR  MUSCOVY  DUCK. 

coasts  of  the  Mexican  Gulf.  It  frequents  ponds,  marshes,  the  reedy 
shores  of  creeks  and  rivers,  and  in  winter  is  very  abundant  in  the 
rice  plantations  of  the  South.  They  usually  fly  in  small  parties, 
feeding  mostly  by  night;  associating  with  the  Mallard,  and  are  com- 
monly decoyed  by  its  call. 

Tha  Teal  is  found  in  the  north  of  Europe  as  far  as  Greenland  and 
Iceland,  and  it  also  inhabits  the  borders  of  the  Caspian  to  the  south. 
In  France  and  England  it  is  said  to  breed.  They  are  commonly  seen 
on  the  pools,  in  close  companies  of  ten  or  twelve  together,  frequent- 
ing the  rivers  and  unfrozen  springs  in  winter,  where  they  subsist  on 
aquatic  plants.  They  fly  very  swiftly,  and  utter  a  sort  of  whistling 
cry.  The  Teal  breeds  in  the  fens,  continuing  in  the  temperate  parts 
01  Europe  the  whole  year.  It  conceals  its  nest  among  the  bulrushes, 
constructing  it  of  their  stalks,  and  lining  it  with  feathers ;  it  resta 
also  sometimes  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  so  as  to  rise  and  fall  with 
the  flood.  The  eggs  are  about  ten  or  twelve,  of  a  soiled  white,  indis- 
tinctly marked  with  brown  spots.  The  female  takes  the  whole  man 
agement  of  the  incubation  ;  tne  males,  at  this  time,  seem  to  leave 
them  and  associate  for  themselves  in  companies. 


THE   MUSK,    OB   MUSCOVY    DUCK. 

The  Musk  Duck  derives  its  name  from  its  exhaling  at  times  a 

strong  odor  of  that  drug.  The 
term  Muscovy  is  wholly  misap- 
plied, since  it  is  an  exclusive 
native  of  the  warmer  and  tropical 
parts  of  America  and  its  islands. 
They  exist  wild  in  Brazil,  Deme- 
rara,  and  the  overflowed  savannas 
of  Guianna,  and  are  occasionally 
seen  along  the  coasts  of  the  Mexi 
can  Gulf,  in  the  lower  part  of 
Mississippi,  and  stragglers  are  /re- 
quently  observed  along  the  coasts  of  the  warmer  parts  of  the  Union. 
They  feed  in  the  tropical  savannas  chiefly  upon  the  seeds  of  some 
grasses  which  resemble,  and  are  called,  wild  rice;  flying  in  the  morn- 
ing to  those  immense  and  overflowed  meadows  to  feed,  and  returning 
in  the  evening  to  their  roosts  near  the  sea.  They  are  said  to  pass  the 
warmer  parts  of  the  day  indolently  perched  upon  trees,  which  over- 
hang the  rivers  and  marshes,  in  the  hollows  of  which,  like  our  Wood 
Ducks,  they  construct  their  nest,  and  convey  the  young  to  the  water 
as  soon  as  they  are  hatched.  They  breed  at  all  times  of  the  year, 
and  are  very  prolific,  but  many  of  the  young  fall  victims  to'the  Cay- 
mans and  other  predatory  animals  with  which  those  countries  are 
infested.  The  eggs  are  nearly  quite  round  and  of  a  greenish- white 
color.  The  male  is  very  ardent  and  readily  couples  with  the  domestic 
Duck.  In  a  wild  state  they  are  very  shy  and  watchful  and  approached 
with  difficulty. 


MUSCOVY    DOCK. 


THE   VELVET   DUCK — CANVAS-BACK  DUCK. 


375 


The  Musk  DucK:  is  now  commonly  domesticated,  feeds  and  fattens 
well,  is  deservedly  esteemed  as  food,  more  particularly  the  youog,  and 
though  derived  from  the  mildest  of  climates,  endures  the  winter  of 
the  Eastern  and  Northern  States  without  any  difficulty  or  hardship. 

THE    VELVET    DUCK. 

The  Velvet  Duck  IB  common  to  the  northern  regions  of  bot)« 
continents,  where 
it  retires  late  in 
the  spring  to  pass 
the  period  of  re- 
production. Like 
the  preceding, 
they  live  princi- 
pally upon  the 
Bea  and  its  pro- 
ductions, diving 
often  in  broken 
water  for  shell- 
fish and  other 
marine  bodies. 
They  breed  along 
the  Arctic  coasts 
and  around  Hud- 
son's Bay  and 
Labrador,  retir- 
ing inland  for  the 


VF.LVKT   DUCK. 


purpose;  nesting 

contiguous  to  small  fresh-water  pools  in  the  shelter  of  Juniper  or  Pine 
bushes,  laying  from  eight  to  ten  white  eggs,  which  the  female  closely 
covers  with  her  elastic  feather.  The  young  are  attended  by  the 
female  only,  who  remains  with  her  brood  in  these  seclusions  until 
they  are  nearly  ready  to  fly.  She  also  makes  a  show  of  defending 
them,  and  the  young  themselves  often,  by  their  great  alertness  in 
diving,  escape  the  attacks  of  their  enemies.  '  They  are  abundant  in 
the  Orkneys  and  Hebrides,  as  well  as  in  Norway,  Sweden,  Lapland ; 
and  are  common  in  some  parts  of  Siberia  and  Kamtschatka.  Near 
Kingis,  on  the  banks  of  the  Tornea  in  Lapland,  a  little  beyond  the 
67th  parallel,  Skioldebrand  remarked  them  nesting  in  trees,  particu- 
larly Pines,  accompanied  by  the  Golden  Eye  (Fuligula  cangula.)  The 
'•nhabitants,  he  also  adds,  knowing  the  trouble  they  have  in  forming 
their  nests,  attach  hollowed  pieces  of  wood  to  the  trees  for  their  con- 
venience ;  and  in  recompense  receive  a  quantity  of  their  egga,  which 
supply  the  place  of  those  of  the  common  fowl. 

CANVASS- BACKED  DUCK. 

The  Canvass-Back,  so  well  known  as  a  delicacy  of  the  table,  i§  a 
•pecies  peculiar  to  the  continent  of  America.  It  breeds,  according 
to  Richardson,  in  all  parts  of  the  remote  fur  countries  from  the  50ti 


376 


THE    CANVASS-BACKED    DUCK. 


parallel  to  their  most  northern  limits,  and  at  this  period  associates 
much  on  the  water  with  the  ordinary  tribe  of  Ducks.     After  the  close 

of  the  period  of 
reproduction,  accu- 
mulating in  flocks, 
and  driven  to  the 
open  waters  of  the 
south  for  their 
favorite  means  of 
subsistence,  they 
arrive  about  the 
middle  of  October 
seawards  on  the 
coast  of  the  United 
States.  A  few  at 
this  time  visit  the 
Hudson  and  the 
Delaware,  but  the 
great  body  of  emi- 
grants take  up  their 
quarters  in  the  Bay  of  Chesapeake,  and  in  the  numerous  estuaries  and 
principal  rivers  which  empty  into  it;  particularly  the  Susquehanna, 
the  Patapsco,  Potomac  and  James'  rivers.  They  also  frequent  the 
sounds  and  bays  of  North  Carolina,  and  are  abundant  in  the  river 
Neuse,  in  the  vicinity  of  Newbern,  and  probably  in  most  of  the  other 
southern  waters  to  the  coast  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  being  seen  in 
\r inter  in  the  mild  climate  of  New  Orleans.  In  these  different 
•actions  of  the  Union  they  are  known  by  the  various  names  of 
Canvass-Backs,  White  Backs,  and  Sheldrakes.  In  the  depth  of 
winter,  a  few  pairs,  probably  driven  from  the  interior  by  cold,  arrive 
in  Massachusetts  Bay,  in  the  vicinity  of  Cohasset  and  near  Martha's 
"Vineyard :  these,  as  in  the  waters  of  New  York,  are  commonly 
ussociated  with  the  Ked-Head,  or  Pochard,  to  which  they  have  so 
near  an  affinity.  Their  principal  food,  instead  of  the  fresh-water 
j)lant  Valisncna,  which  is  confined  to  so  small  a  space,  is,  in  fact, 
the  different  kinds  of  Sea- Wrack,  known  here  by  the  name  of 
Eelgrass,  from  its  prodigious  length,  (Zostera  marina,  and  Ruppia 
maritima.)  These  vegetables  are  found  in  nearly  every  part  of  the 
Atlantic,  growing  like  submerged  fields  over  all  the  muddy  flats, 
shallow  bays,  estuaries,  and  inlets,  subject  to  the  access  of  salt  or 
brackish  waters.  They  are  the  marine  pastures  in  which  most  of  the 
Sea  Ducks,  no  less  than  the  present,  find  at  all  times,  except  in 
severe  frosts,  an  ample  supply  of  food. 

The  Canvass-Backs  on  their  first  arrival  are  generally  lean,  but  :v 
the  beginning  of  November,  they  become  in  good  order  for  the  table, 
They  are  excellent  divers,  and  swim  with  speed  and  agility.  They 
sometimes  assemble  by  thousands  in  a  flock,  and  rising  suddenly 
on  wing  produce  a  noise  like  thunder.  During  the  day,  they  are 
commonly  dispersed  about  in  quest  of  food,  but  towards  evening  col- 
lect together,  and  coming  into  the  creeks  and  river  inlets,  ride  as  it 


THE  HARLEQUIN    DUCK.  377 

were  at  anchor,  with  their  heads  under  their  wings  asleep;  sentinels, 
however,  appear  awake  and  ready  to  raise  an  alarm  on  the  least 
appearance  of  danger.  At  other  times  they  are  seen  swimming 
about  the  shoals,  and  diving  after  the  sea-wrack,  which  they  com- 
monly pluck  up,  and  select  only  the  tenderest  portion  towards  the 
root.  Though  thus  laboriously  engaged,  they  are  still  extremely 
shy,  and  can  rarely  be  approached  but  by  stratagem,  for  even  while 
feeding,  several  remain  unemployed  and  vigilant  against  any  sur- 
prise. ^When  wounded  in  the  wing  they  dive  to  prodigious  distances, 
and  with  such  rapidity,  and  perseverance  as  almost  to  render  the 
pursuit  hopeless.  The  great  demand  and  high  estimation  in  which 
these  Dacks  are  held,  spurs  the  ingenuity  of  the  gunner  to  practise 
every  expedient  which  may  promise  success  in  their  capture.  They 
are  sometimes  decoyed  to  shore  or  within  gun-shot  by  means  of  a 
dog  trained  for  the  purpose,  which,  playing  backwards  and  forwards 
along  the  shore,  attracts  the  vacant  curiosity  of  the  birds,  and  aa 
they  approach  within  a  suitable  distance  the  concealed  fowler  rakes 
them  first  on  the  water,  and  afterwards  as  they  rise.  Sometimes  by 
moonlight  the  sportsman  directs  his  skiff  towards  a  flock,  whose 
position  he  had  previously  ascertained,  and  keeping  within  the  pro- 
jecting shadow  of  some  wood,  bank,  or  headland,  he  paddles  silently 
along  to  within  fifteen  or  twenty  yards  of  a  flock  of  many  thousands, 
among  whom  he  consequently  makes  great  destruction. 

As  the  severity  of  the  winter  augments,  and  the  rivers  become 
extensively  frozen,  the  Canvass-Backs  retreat  towards  the  ocean,  and 
are  then  seen  in  the  shallow  bays  which  still  remain  open ;  occa- 
sionally also  frequenting  the  air-holes  in  the  ice,  and  openings  which 
are  sometimes  made  for  the  purpose,  immediately  over  the  beds  of 
uea  grass,  to  entice  them  within  gun-shot  of  the  hut  or  bush  fixed  at 
a  convenient  distance  for  commanding  the  hungry  flocks.  So  urgent 
sometimes  are  the  Ducks  for  food  in  winter,  that  at  one  of  these 
artificial  openings  in  the  ice,  in  James7  river,  a  Mr.  Hill,  according 
to  Wilson,  accompanied  by  a  second  person,  picked  up  from  one  of 
these  decoys,  at  three  rounds  each,  no  less  than  eighty -eight  Canvass- 
Backs.  The  Ducks  crowded  to  the  place,  so  that  the  whole  open 
space  was  not  only  covered  with  them,  but  vast  numbers,  waiting 
their  turn,  stood  inactive  on  the  ice  around  it. 


THB   HARLEQUIN   DUCK 

This  singularly  marked  and  beautiful  species  is  almost  a  constant 
resident  of  the  hyperboreal  regions  of  the  northern  hemisphere,  from 
which  it  migrates  but  short  distances  towards  more  temperate  lati- 
tudes, and  is  as  in  Europe  a  rare  and  almost  accidental  visiter  as  far 
as  the  Middle  States  of  the  Union.  It  is  however  more  frequent  in 
Eastern  Europe  up  to  Greenland ;  and  common  from  lake  Baikal  to 
Kamschatka.  Now  and  then  it  is  killed  in  Scotland  and  the  Orkneys. 
Dr.  Richardson  found  it  to  be  a  rare  bird  in  the  fur  countries,  haunt- 
ing eddies  under  cascades,  and  rapid  streams,  where  it  dwells  and 


°  7Q 
O  /  O 


THE    LONG-TAILED    DUCK. 


HARLEQUIN    DUCK. 


"breeds  apart  from  all  other  Ducks.     In  Kamschatka  it  affects  the 

same  retired  and  remark 
able  romantic  situations; 
like  the  alpine  Cinclus,  it 
seeks  out  the  most  rocky 
and  agitated  torrents;  in 
such  situations  it  has 
been  seen  in  the  rivulet? 
of  Hudson's  Bay,  as 
much  as  ninety  miles  in- 
land from  the  sea;  here 
it  seeks  out  its  appro- 
priate fare  of  spawnr 
shell-fish,  and  the  larvae 
of  aquatic  or  fluviatile 
insects.  On  the  low 
bushy  and  shady  banks  of  these  streams  it  constructs  its  nest,  which 
contains  from  twelve  to  fourteen  pure  white  eggs.  On  the  margins 
of  fresh-water  ponds  in  Labrador  Mr.  Audubon  also  observed  this 
species,  and  he  remarks,  that  instead  of  rearing  their  young  in  the 
same  situations  chosen  for  breeding,  as  with  the  Velvet  and  Surf 
Duck,  it  conducts  its  brood  to  the  sea  as  soon  as  they  are  hatched. 
Its  flight  is  high  and  swift;  and  it  swims  and  dives  with  the 
utmost  dexterity.  So  great  is  its  confidence  in  the  security  of  its 
most  natural  element,  that  on  the  report  of  a  gun  over  the  water, 
it  instantly  quits  its  flight  and  dives  at  once  with  the  celerity  of 
thought.  It  is  said  to  be  clamorous,  and  that  its  voice  is  a  sort  of 
whistle;  the  anatomy  of  the  trachea  is  however,  unknown,  and  it  is 
not  said  whether  this  sibilation  be  really  produced  from  the  throat  or 
the  wings,  as  is  the  latter  case  in  the  Common  Clangula  or  Golden 
Eye.  Driven  from  their  solitary  resorts  in  the  interior  by  the  invasion 
of  frost,  they  are  now  seen  out  at  sea  engaged  in  obtaining  a  different 
mode  of  subsistence.  Amidst  these  icy  barriers  they  still  continue  to 
endure  the  rigors  of  winter,  continually  receding  further  out  to  sea, 
or  making  limited  and  almost  accidental  visits  to  milder  regions. 
When  discovered,  they  display  the  utmost  vigilance,  and  instantly 
take  to  wing.  It  is  considered  to  be  a  game  superior  in  flavor  to  the 
Common  Wild  Duck.  From  the  singular  and  beautiful  crescent- 
shaped  lines  and  marks  which  ornament  its  neck  and  breast  it  has 
probably  come  by  the  dignified  appellation  of  lord,  among  the  fishers 
of  Newfoundland.  It  is  here  too  rare  to  have  acquired  any  particular 
name. 


THE  LONG-TAILED   DUCK. 


This  elegant  and  noisy  Duck,  known  so  generally  in  the  Southern 
States  by  the  nickname  of  "  South-Southerly,"  from  its  note,  and,  in 
most  other  parts  by  the  appellation  of  "  Old  Squaws"  or  "  Old  Wives," 
is  an  Arctic  inhabitant  of  both  continents,  and  abounds  in  the  glacia. 


THE   LONG-TAILED   DUCK. 


LONG-TAILED   DCCX. 


of  America,  where  it  is  seen  commonly  associated  with  the  Eider 
Sari',  Black  and 
other  Ducks  of 
congenial  habits, 
who  invariably 
prefer  the  frail 
but  to  them,  pro- 
ductive dominion 
of  the  sea  to  the 
land  or  its  more 
peaceful  waters. 
So  strong  is  the 
predilection  of 
this  species  for 
its  frigid  natal 
climes  and  their 
icy  barriers,  says 
Nuttall,  that  it  is 
seen  to  linger  in 

the  north  as  long  as  the  existence  of  any  open  water  can  be  ascer- 
tained ;  when  the  critical  moment  of  departure  at  length  approaches, 
common  wants  and  general  feeling  begin  so  far  to  prevail  as  to  unite 
the  scattered  families  into  numerous  flocks.  They  now  proceed 
towards  the  south,  and  making  a  halt  on  the  shores  and  inland  lakes 
round  Hudson's  Bay,  remain  until  again  reluctantly  driven  towards 
milder  climes.  They  are  the  last  birds  of  passage  that  take  leave  of 
the  fur  countries.  Familiar  with  cold,  and  only  driven  to  migrate 
for  food,  in  the  latter  end  of  August  when  already  a  thin  crust  of 
ice  is  seen  forming  in  the  night  over  the  still  surface  of  the  Arctic 
Sea,  the  female  Harelda  is  observed  ingeniously  breaking  away  with 
her  wings  for  the  egress  of  her  young  brood. 

According  to  the  state  of  the  weather  we  consequently  observe  the 
variable  arrival  of  these  birds.  In  October  they  generally  pay  us  a 
visit,  the  old  already  clad  in  the  more  dazzling  garb  of  winter.  The 
young  sometimes  seek  out  the  shelter  of  the  fresh  water  ponds,  but 
the  old  keep  out  at  sea.  No  place  in  the  Union  so  abounds  with 
these  gabblers  as  the  Bay  of  Chesapeake.  They  are  lively,  restless 
End  gregarious  in  all  their  movements,  and  fly,  dive  and  swim  with 
unrivalled  dexterity ;  and  subsist  chiefly  upon  small  shell-fish,  and 
marine  plants,  particularly  the  Zostera  or  Grass- wrack.  Late  in  the 
evening,  or  early  in  the  morning,  towards  spring  more  particularly, 
vast  flocks  are  seen  in  the  bays  and  sheltered  inlets,  and  in  calm  and 
foggy  weather  we  hear  the  loud  and  blended  nasal  call,  reiterated  for 
hours  from  the  motley  multitude.  There  is  something  in  the  sound 
like  the  honk  of  the  Goose,  and,  as  far  as  words  can  express  a  subject 
so  uncouth,  it  resembles  the  gutteral  syllables,  ''ogh  ough  egh,  and  then 
ogh  ogh  ogh  ough  egh,  given  in  a  ludicrous  drawling  tone;  but  still 
with  all  the  accompaniments  of  scene  and  season,  this  humble  harbin- 
ger of  spring,  obeying  the  feelings  of  nature,  and  pouring  forth  his 
5na»  ditty  before  his  departure  to  the  distant  north,  conspires  with 


380 


THE  GREAT   AUK. 


the  novelty  of  the  call,  to  please  rather  than  disgust  those  happj 
few  who  may  be  willing  "  to  find  good  in  everything."  This  peculiar 
cry,  is  well  known  to  the  aboriginal  sons  of  the  forest,  and  among 
the  Crees  the  species  is  called  'Hah-haway,  so  much  like  the  syllables 
I  have  given  above,  that  many  might  imagine  my  additions  no  more 
lhan  a  version  of  the  same. 


OF  THE  AUK  TEIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  bilk  of  these  birds  are  thick,  convex,  and,  except  in  very  few 
species,  are  compressed  at  the  sides,  and  crossed  with  transverse 
furrows.  The  nostrils  are  linear,  and  situated  parallel  to  the  edge  of 
the  bill.  The  Auks  have  three  toes,  all  placed  forward. 

The  Auks  are,  for  the  most  part,  inhabitants  of  the  Northern  Ocean. 
They  breed  in  holes,  which  they  sometimes  dig  in  the  earth,  or  in  the 
fissures  of  rocks ;  and  lay  but  one  egg.  They  generally  rest  in  these 
holes  during  the  night.  Their  feet  are  placed  behind  the  centre  of 
gravity,  which  makes  some  of  the  species  stand  with  their  heads 
almost  upright. 


THE    GREAT   AUK.  . 

The  Great  Auk  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  Arctic  Circle,  but  is  some- 
times seen  in  the 
northern  islands  of 
Scotland.  The 
wings  of  this  bird 
are  incapable  of 
raising  it  into  the 
air,  but  serve  ad- 
mirably as  paddles 
when  diving.  It 
breeds  principally 
on  the  shores  of 
Iceland  and  Spits- 
bergen, laying  one 
large  egg  on  a  cleft 
of  a  high  rock.  The 
eggs  are  extremely 
scarce,  and  fetch  a 
very  high  price 
among  collectors,  a 
circumstance  which 
has  caused  some 
most  ingenious  im- 
positions. In  one 
case  two  of  these 


THE    PUFFIN    AUK. 


381 


eggs  were  offered  for  sale  at  a  shop  where  natural  curiosities  are 
bought  and  sold.  They  were  offered,  I  believe,  at  five  pounds  each, 
which  being  a  very  low  price,  excited  the  suspicions  of  the  bu/er, 
who  asked  the  seller  to  leave  them  while  he  examined  them.  He 
examined  them  accordingly,  and  although  he  doubted,  yet  they 
looked  very  genuine  indeed.  They  had  the  peculiar  smell  of  the 
Auk's  eggs,  the  hole  through  which  the  contents  were  extracted  was 
perfectly  natural,  the  lining  membrane  of  the  egg  being  still  in  ita 
place.  Just  as  the  price  was  about  to  be  paid,  a  visitor  happened 
to  enter  the  shop,  who  recognised  the  seller  as  a  man  who  had  sold 
many  of  these  eggs  of  late  at  the  same  price,  but  who  manufactured 
all  the  eggs  himself.  They  were,  in  fact,  nothing  but  models,  ex- 
quisitely copied,  and  accurate  in  every  particular,  but  yet  only  a 
omposition  of  plaster  of  Paris  with  other  ingredients. 


THE  PUFFIN  AUK. 

The  Puffin  Auks  appear  in  some  parts  of  England  about  the  begin- 
ning of  April.  Their  first  employment  is  the  forming  of  burrows  for 
their  young-ones,  in  the  earth  or  sand.  This  is  the  task  of  the  males, 
who  are  »o  intent  on  the  business,  as  to  suffer  themselves  at  that  time 
to  be  taken  with  the  hand.  Some,,  where  there  is  opportunity,  save 
themselves  the  trouble  of  forming  holes,  by  dispossessing  Babbits 

The  females  lay  one  white  egg  each;  and  the  males  as  well  as 
females  perform  the  office  of  sitting,  relieving  each  other  when  they 

go  to  feed.  The  young-ones 
are  hatched  in  the  beginning 
of  July.  The  noise  they 
make  when  with  their 
young,  is  a  singular  kind  of 
humming,  much  resembling 
that  produced  by  the  large 
wheels  used  for  the  spinning 
of  worsted.  On  being  seized, 
they  emitted  this  noise  with 
greater  violence ;  and  from 
its  being  interrupted  by 
their  struggling  to  escape,  it 
sounded  not  much  unlike 
the  efforts  of  a  dumb  man 
to  speak. 

The  young-ones  are  en- 
tirely covered  with  a  long 
blackish  down ;  and,  in 
fhape,  are  altogether  so  different  from  the  parent  birds  that  no  one 
would  at  first  sight  suppose  them  of  the  same  species.  Their  bill  also 
is  long,  pointed,  and  black,  with  scarcely  any  marks  of  furrows. 

The  Kamtschadales  and  Keriles  wear  the  bills  of  Puffins  fastened 
about  their  necks  with  straps.  The  priests  put  them  on  with  certain 


I'Ul'FIN    AUK. 


382 


THE   LITTLE   AUK,   OR    SEA   DOVE. 


ceremonies,  and  the  persons  are  supposed  to  be  always  attended  with, 
good  fortune,  so  long  as  they  retain  them  there. 


THE   LITTLE   AUK,    OR   SEA   DOVE. 

This  neat  and  singular  little  bird,  with  a  quaint  resemblance  to  the 
Colombine  tribe,  is  known  to  mariners  by  the  name  of  the  Greenland 
Dove;  and  in  this  vicinity  it  is  also  called  the  Pigeon  Diver.  It  in- 
habits, however,  a  region  where  the  gentle  cooing  of  the  Dove  is  never 
heard.  It  dwells  far  within  the  Arctic  circle,  approaching  the  very 
pole,  having  been  obtained  by  Dr.  Richardson  from  the  dreary  coast  of 
Melville  I^and,  in  the  latitude  01  /5D  and  76°,  in  August,  where  they 
were  seen  by  thousands.  It  is  probably  almost  the  last  bird  seen  within 
the  desolate  and  glacial  boundaries  of  the  earth.  In  Greenland 
and  Spitzbergen  they  congregate  in  great  flocks;  and  in  the  depth  of 
winter,  watching  the  motion  of  the  ice  in  the  offing,  when  it  is 
roken  up  by  storms,  they  crowd  by  thousands  into  every  opening, 
fissure  or  flaw,  in 
order  to  snatch  up  the 
marine  productions  on 
which  they  subsist. 
Mr.  Audubon  found 
a  few  breeding  on  the 
coast  of  Labrador.  In 
Newfoundland  they 
are  called  the  Ice- Bird, 
being  the  sure  har- 
Dingers  of  severe 
weather,  as  they 
seldom  proceed  far 
from  their  inclement 
natal  regions,  except 
when  accidentally 
driven  to  shore  by 
stoims.  In  the  United 
States  their  appearance 
is  always  solitary, 
being  mere  wanderers,  as  they  are  also  along  the  miller  coasts  of 
Europe.  Their  uniform  predilection  is  for  the  hyperboreal  regions 
of  their  nativity,  and  they  even  fatten  in  storms  when  not  over- 
whelmed by  their  fury;  as,  at  these  times  the  small  Crustacea,  and 
marine  insects  on  which  they  feed  are  cast  up  and  brought  to  the 
surface  in  great  abundance.  At  times  they  appear  to  fly  well,  as 
appears  by  their  extensive  accidental  migrations,  having  sometimes- 
been  met  with  considerably  inland.  The  water,  however,  being  their 
more  natural  element,  they  dive  with  great  facility,  and  are  often 
observed  dipping  their  bills  into  the  water  as  if  drinking. 

Those  which  have  been  obtained  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  usually 
in  the  depth  of  winter,  have  sometimes  been  found  in  Fresh  Pond 


THE  PARROQUKT  Al'Iv— -  THE  RAZOR-BILL  AUK. 


and  so  lean  and  exhausted,  by  buffeting  weather  and  fatigue,  as  to 
allow  themselves  to  be  quietly  taken  up  by  the  hand. 

THE  PARROQUET  AUK. 

This  bird  is  about  the  size  of  a  blackbird.  The  bill  is  much  com- 
pressed, and  convex  both  above  and  beneath.  The  nostrils  are 
placed  in  the  middle  of  it,  and  pervious,  and  above  these  there  is  a 
furrow  that  reaches  from  the  base  to  the  middle.  The  color  of  th* 
bill  is  deep  red.  From  the  hinder  part  of  the  eye  springs  a  slendei 
tuft  of  white  feathers,  which  hangs  loosely  on  the  neck.  The  upper 
parts  of  the  plumage,  and  the  neck,  are  black;  and  the  under  parts, 
from  the  breast,  white.  The  wings  are  short.  The  legs  are  of  a 
dirty  yellow,  and  the  webs  of  the  feet  brown. 

Trtiis  species  of  Auk  is  found  in  flocks  in  Kamtschatka,  in  the  islei 
towards  Japan,  and  on  the  western  shores  of  America.  In  the  nighta 
they  harbour  in  the  crevices  of  rocks.  Like  most  of  the  tribe,  they 
are  indolent  and  stupid  birds,  as  the  following  extraordinary  method 

of  catching  them  suffi- 
ciently proves :  One  ol 
the  natives  places  him- 
self in  the  evening 
among  the  rocks, 
under  a  loose  garment 
of  fur,  of  a  particular 
shape,  with  large  open 
sleeves,  when  the 
birds,  returning  to 
th  eir  lodgin  g-places  at 
dusk,  run  under  the 
skirts  and  up  the  arm- 
holes,  in  order  to  shelter 
themselves  during  tha 
night;  the  man  con- 
cealed beneath,  kill* 
them  as  fast  as  the? 
enter,  and,  by  thi 
means,  as  many  art 
often  taken  in  one 
evening  as  he  can  carry  awayf  Their  stupidity  likewise  occasions 
them  very  often  to  fly  on  board  ships  at  such  times,  mistaking  these 
or  roosting  places:  by  which  navigators  have  sometimes  been  taught 
to  avoid  the  danger  of  approaching  too  near  the  land,  either  in  the 
evenings,  or  on  the  approach  of  storms. 

THE    RAZOR-BILL    AUK. 

The  Razor-bill  Auk  abounds  among  the  cliffs  of  England.  It  lays, 
sits,  and  breeds  up  its  young,  on  the  ledges  of  the  craggy  cliffs  and 
steep  rocks  by  the  seashore.  On  the  coast  of  Labrador  they  abound, 


PAKR(H>U£T    AUK. 


384  THE    CRESTED    PENGUIN. 

and  the  thousands  of  birds  there  killed  for  the  sake  of  the  breast 
feathers,  which  are  very  warm  and  elastic,  and  the  quantities  of  eggs 
there  collected  amount  to  almost  incredible  numbers.  The  summer 
and  winter  dress  of  the  Razor-bill,  though  different,  do  not  vary  so 
remarkably  as  the  plumage  of  many  other  birds.  In  the  summer 
dress,  the  white  streak  which  goes  from  the  bill  to  the  eyes  becomes 
very  pure;  and  the  cheeks,  throat,  and  upper  part  of  the  front  of  the 
neck  are  of  a  deep  black,  shaded  with  red.  In  winter  the  throat  and 
forepart  of  the  neck  are  white. 

OF  THE  PENGUINS  IN  GENERAL. 

THEIR  bill  is  strong,  straight,  furrowed  at  the  sides,  and  bent  to- 
wards the  point.  The  nostrils  are  linear,  and 
placed  in  the  furrows.  The  tongue  is  covered 
with  strong  spines,  pointing  backward.  The 
wings  are  small,  not  unlike  fins,  and  are  cov- 
ered with  feathers  no  longer  than  those  of  the 
rest  of  the  body.  The  body  is  clothed  with 
thick  short  feathers ;  which  have  broad  shafts, 
and  are  placed  almost  as  compactly  as  scales. 
The  legs  are  short  and  thick,  situated  back- 
wards, Dear  the  tail.  The  toes  are  four,  all 
placed  forward;  the  interior  ones  are  loose, 
and  the  rest  webbed.  The  tail  is  very  stiff, 
consisting  of  broad  shafts  scarcely  webbed.  PENGUIN. 

The  Penguins  seem  to  hold  the  same  place  in  the  southern  parto 
of  the  world,  that  the  Auks  do  in  the  northern.  They  resemble 
these  birds  in  almost  all  their  habits :  they  walk  erect,  and  are  very 
stupid.  They  also  resemble  them  in  color,  and  in  their  mode  of 
feeding,  and  of  making  their  nests.  From  the  extreme  shortness 
of  their  wings,  they  are  altogether  incapable  of  flying.  They  swim 
with  great  swiftness;  and  are  fortified  against  the  effects  of  a  long 
continuance  in  the  cold  water,  by  an  abundance  of  fat.  They  hatch 
their  young-ones  in  an  erect  position ;  and  cackle  like  Geese. 


THE   CRESTED    PENGUIN. 

Tne  Crested  Penguins  are  inhabitants  of  several  of  the  South  Sea 
IsHnds.  They  have  the  names  of  Hopping  Penguins,  and  Jumping 
Jacks,  from  their  action  of  leaping  quite  out  of  the  water,  sometimes 
to  the  height  of  three  or  four  feet,  on  meeting  with  any  obstacle  in  their 
jourse.  All  the  Penguins,  while  swimming,  sink  above  the  breast, 
the  head  and  neck  only  appearing  out  of  the  water ;  and  they  row 
themselves  along  with  their  finny  wings  as  with  oars. 

This  species  have  a  greater  air  of  liveliness  in  their  countenance  than 
almost  any  of  the  others :  yet  they  are  verr  stupid  birds,  and  so  re- 
gardless of  their  own  safety,  as  even  to  suffer  any  person  to  lay  hold 
if  them  When  provoked,  they  erect  their  crest  in  a  very  beautiful 


THE   STORM  Y   PETREL.  385 

manner :  and  we  are  told,  that,  when  attacked  by  our  voyagers,  they 

ran  at  them  in  flocks,  pecked  their  legs, 
and  spoiled  their  clothes.  "  When  the 
whole  herd  was  beset,  (says  Mr.  Forster, 
in  his  account  of  one  of  the  South  Sea 
islands,)  they  all  became  very  bold  at 
once ;  and  ran  violently  at  UB,  biting 
our  legs,  or  any  part  of  our  clothes." 

Their  sleep  is  extremely  spund;  for 
Dr.  Sparrman  accidentally  stumbling 
over  one  of  them,  kicked  it  several 
yards  without  disturbing  its  rest;  nor 
was  it  until  after  being  repeatedly 
shaken  that  the  bird  awoke.  They  are 
very  tenacious  of  life.  Mr.  Forster  left 
a  great  number  of  them,  apparently 
lifeless  from  the  blows  they  had  re- 
ceived, while  he  went  in  .  pursuit  of 

others  ;    but  they  ail  afterwards  got  up  and  marched  off  with  the 
utmost  gravity. 

These  birds  form  their  nests  among  those  of  the  Pelicans,  and  live 
in  tolerable  harmony  with  them.  The  female  generally  lays  only  a 
single  egg.  Their  nests  are  holes  in  the  earth  ;  which  they  easily  form 
by  means  of  their  bills,  throwing  back  the  dirt  with  their  feet. 


OF  THE  PETREL  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  bill  is  somewhat  compressed;  the  mandjbles  are  equal  in 
length,  and  the  upper  one  is  hooked  at  the  point.  The  nostrils  form 
a  kind  of  truncated  cylinder,  lying  over  the  base  of  the  bill.  The 
feet  are  webbed,  and,  in  the  place  of  a  hind  toe,  have  a  spur  pointing 
downwards. 

These  birds  frequent  only  the  ocean,  and  are  seldom  to  be  seen  or 
shore,  except  during  the  breeding  season.  Their  legs  are  bare  of 
feathers  a  little  above  the  knee.  They  have  the  singular  faculty  of 
spouting  from  their  bills,  to  a  considerable  distance,  a  large  quantity 
of  pure  oil ;  which  they  do,  by  way  of  defence,  into  the  face  of  any 
one  that  attempts  to  annoy  them.  This  oil  has  been  frequently  used 
m  medicine,  and,  some  writers  say,  with  success. 


THE   STORMY   PETREL,   AND  NORFOLK   ISLAND   PETREL. 

The  Stormy  Petrel  is  not  larger  than  a  swallow ;  and  its  color  ia 
entirely  black,  except  the  coverts  of  the  tail,  the  tail  itself,  and  the 
vent  feathers,  which  are  white.  Its  legs  are  long  and  slender. 

The  bill  is  about  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  black  and  much  hooked  at 
the  end.  The  head  as  far  as  the  eyes,  and  the  chin,  are  mottled  in 
waves  of  brown  and  white ;  the  rest  of  the  body  is  of  a  sooty  brown 


386 


THE   STORMY   PETREL. 


above,  and  a  deep  ash-color  beneath.  The  wings,  when  closed,  exceed 
the  tail  by  an  inch.  The  legs  are  of  a  pale  yellow,  and  part  of  the  toes 
and  webs  is  black. 


Ranging  over  the  expanse  of  the  ocean,  and  frequently  at  a  vast 
distance  from  land,  the  former  of  these  birds  is  enabled  to  brave  the 
utmost  fury  of  the  storms.  Even  in  the  most  tempestuous  weather  it 
is  frequently  observed  by  the  mariners,  skimming  with  almost  in- 
credible velocity,  along  the  hollows  of  the  waves,  and  sometimes 


THE   STORMY   PETREL. 


387 


NOPFOI.K   ISLAND    PETRELS. 


over  tneir  summits.  It  often  follows  vessels,  in  great  flocks,  to  pick 
up  any  thing  that  is  thrown  overboard;  but  its  appearance  is  al \va\s 
looked  upon  by  the  sailors  as  the  sure  pres.  go  of  storm  v  weather  iu 
the  course  of  a  few  hours  after.  It  seems  to  seek  for  protection  from 
the  fury  of  the  wind  in  the  wake  of  the  vessels;  and  from  the  sarre 
reason  it  very  probably  is,  that  it  often  flies  along  between  t\\o 
surges. 

The  nests  of  these  birds  are  found  in  the  Orkney  Islands,  under 
loose  stones,  in  the  months  of  June  and  July.  The  Stormy  Petrels 
live  chiefly  on  small  fish,  and,  although  mute  by  clay,  are. very 
clamorous  during  the  night. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  Feroe  Islands  are  said  to  draw  a  wick 
through  the  bird,  which,  being  lighted  at  one  end,  serves  for  a 
candle,  the  flame  being  fed  by  the  fat  and  oil  of  the  body. 

The  other  species  of  Petrel  here  mentioned  are  found  inr  great 
numbers  in  Norfolk  Island,  where  they  burrow  in  the  sand  like 
Rabbits.  On  Mount  Pit,  the  highest  land  in  the  island,  the  ground 
was  as  full  of  holes  as  a  Babbit-warren,  and  an  immense  number  of 
aquatic  birds  burrowed  and  built  their  nests  in  them.  These,  during 
the  day,  were  at  sea;  but  as  night  approached  they  returned  in  vast 
flocks.  The  settlers  lighted  small  fires  every  night  on  this  mount, 
around  which  the  birds  dropped  as  fast  as  the  people  could  pick 
them  up  and  kill  them ;  for  the  wings  of  many  sea-birds  are  so  long 
as  to  prevent  their  rising  till  they  can  ascend  some  small  elevation. 
Hunter  says  that  eighteen  thousand  birds  of  different  species 
killed  in  the  space  of  about  six  weeks. 
25 


wert 


STOfiMY  PETRELS. 


388 


THE  COMMON  GUILLEMOT — FULMAR  PETREL.       389 


THE  COMMON  GUILLEMOT. 

The  Common  Guillemot  makes  its  appearance  on  our  coasts  in  the 
l>eginning  of  spring,  and  inhabits  the  cliffs  overhanging  the  sea.  Each 
female  deposits  one  egg  on  a  naked  ledge  of  rock,  and  sits  upon  it  with 
great  perseverance,  even  suffering  itself  to  be  taken  by  hand.  The  egg 
is  usually  a  pale  green,  streaked  and  blotched  with  brown,  but  is  very 
variable  both  in  color  and  markings.  The  length  of  the  bird  is  fifteen 
inches. 

THE   FULMAR   PETREL. 

The  Fulmar  Petrel  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  Arctic  circle,  but  breeds 
abundantly  in  St.  Kilda  and  the  Orkneys.  The  inhabitants  of  those 
islands  consider  the  Fulmar  as  one  of  their  principal  means  of  subsist- 
ence, and  to  obtain  the  birds  they  expose  themselves  to  the  greatest 
dangers.  The  feathers  of  the  Fulmar  Petrel  are  used  for  their  beds,  its 
flesh  they  eat,  its  oil  is  delicate  and  gives  an  excellent  light  when 
used  in  a  lamp,  besides  which  it  is  considered  a  good  remedy  for 
wounds.  To  obtain  the  birds,  the  inhabitants  wait  until  they  are 
nearly  fledged,  when  they  lower  themselves  down  the  face  of  the 
most  fearful  precipices,  saved  from  destruction  merely  by  a  rope. 
This  rope  is  one  of  the  principal  items  of  the  property  of  the  people 
.who  live  in  the  Orkneys.  It  is  sometimes  made  of  hide,  but  the 
be?t  ropes  are  woven  of  hair,  and  are  found  to  be  less  liable  to  fray 
against  the  rocks  than  if  they  were  made  of  any  other  material. 
There  are  many  stories  of  the  dangers  encountered  by  the  daring 
era-rsman.  but  there  is  no  space  lor  their  insertion. 

The  Fulmar  Petrel  lays  one  white  egg,  large  and  brittle,  which  is 
imbued  with  the  peculiar  oily  odor  that  characterises  the  bird. 
The  food  of  the  Fulmar  consists  of  the  flesh  and  blubber  of  dead 
whales  and  other  cetacea,  and  also  of  molluscs  and  Crustacea.  The 
length  of  the  bird  is  sixteen  inches. 


OF  THE  ALBATROSS  TRIBE. 

THERE  are  but  four  species  of  Albatross  ;  of  which  three  are  found 
principally  in  the  seas  of  hot  climates,  and  the  fourth  is  confined  to 
those  within  the  Antarctic  Circle.  Their  bill  is  straight :  the  upper 
mandible  hooked  at  the  point ;  and  the  lower  truncated,  or  appearing 
as  if  cut  off.  The  nostrils  are  oval,  wide,  prominent,  and  lateral ;  the 
tongue  is  very  small ;  and  the  feet  have  each  three  toes,  all  placed 

ward. 

THE  WANDERING  ALBATROSS,  OR  MAN-OF-WAR  BIRD. 

In  size  these  birds  are  sometimes  as  large  as  a  Swan.  Their  genera, 
color  is  white,  the  upper  parts  are  marked  with,  black  lines.  The  quill 


590 


THE   WANDERING   ALBATROSS. 


feathers  are  black ;  and  the  tail  is  rounded,  and  of  a  lead  color.  The 
bill  is  of  a  pale  yellow,  and  the  legs  are  flesh-colored. 
^  These  birds  are  found  in  most  seas,  but  chiefly  in  those  within  the 
Tropics:  they  are,  however,  often  seen  about  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope; 
and,  towards  the  end  of  July,  they  collect  in  great  numbers  in  Ivamt- 
schatka,  and  the  seas  which  separate  that  part  of  Asia  from  America. 


ALBATROSS. 

Its  powers  of  flight  are  exceeding  great;  it  is  almost  constantly  on 
the  wing,  and  is  equally  at  ease  during  the  stillest  calm,  or  flying  with 
meteor-like  swiftness  before  the  most  furious  gale. 

They  are  exceedingly  voracious,  and  feed  on  various  species  of  fish 
and  molluscse.  The  shoals  of  flying-ftsh,  when  persecuted  by  their 
enemies  of  the  deep,  make  their  apf*armiee  for  a  short  flight  in  the 
air,  and  suffer  greatly  from  the  voracity  of  these  birds.  They  also 
often  pursue  the  shoals  of  salmon  into  the  months  of  large  rivers,  and 


THE   PELICAN    TRIBE   IN    GENERAL.  391 

FO  nrorgre  themselves  as,  notwithstanding  their  otherwise  extraordinary 
powers  of  flight,  to  be  prevented  by  their  weight  and  consequent 
etupidity  even  from  rising. 

In  the  West  Indies  the  appearance  of  these  birds  is  said  to  foretell 
the  arrival  of  ships ;  this  indeed  is  sometimes  true,  and  arises  from  a 
very  natural  cause.  They  always  fish  in  fine  weather ;  so  that  when 
the  wind  is  boisterous  out  at  sea,  they  retire  into  the  harbors,  where 
they  are  protected  by  the  land ;  and  the  same  wind  that  blows  them 
in,  oftentimes  brings  also  vessels  to  seek  a  retreat  from  the  storm. 

Their  voice  very  much  resembles  the  braying  of  an  Ass.  In  South 
America  they  build  their  nests  about  the  end  of  September ;  these  are 
formed,  of  earth,  on  the  ground,  and  are  from  one  to  three  feet  high. 
The  eggs  are  sas  large  as  those  of  a  goose,  and  have  the  singular 
property  of  their  white  not  becoming  hard  by  boiling.  When 
attempted  to  be  seized,  these  birds  make  a  vigorous  defence  with  their 
bills. 

Many  of  the  Indians  set  a  high  value  on  the  feathers  of  these  birds ; 
which  they  use  for  arrows,  as  they  last  much  longer  than  those  of  any 
other  birds.  The  natives  of  the  South  Sea  Islands  watch  the  arrival 
of  the  Man-of-war  Birds  at  the  rainy  season ;  and,  when  they  observe 
them,  they  launch  from  their  canoes  into  the  water  a  light  float  of 
wood,  baited  with  a  small  fish.  When  one  of  the  birds  approaches  it, 
a  man  stands  ready  with  a  pole,  about  eighteen  feet  in  length ;  and 
on  its  pouncing,  he  strikes  at  the  bird,  and  seldom  fails  of  bringing  it 
down.  If,  however,  he  miss  his  aim,  he  must  wait  for  some  other 
bird,  for  that  will  no  more  be  tempted  to  approach.  The  cock  birds 
are  reckoned  the  most  valuable  ;  and  sometimes  even  a  large  hog  is 
given  in  exchange  for  one  of  these. 

The  inhabitants  of  Kamtschatka  make  buoys  to  their  nets,  of  the  in- 
testines of  the  Man-of-war  Birds,  which  they  blow  up  like  bladders. 
They  also  make  tobacco-pipes  and  needle-cases  of  the  bones  of  the 
wings ;  and  use  them  likewise  for  heckling  the  grass,  which  serves  them 
instead  of  flax.  The  flesh  is  very  hard  and  dry. 


THE  PELICAN  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

IN  this  tribe  the  bill  is  long  and  straight;  and  the  end  either 
hooked,  or  sloping.  The  nostrils  are  placed  in  a  furrow  that  wins 
along  the  sides  of  the  bill,  and,  in  most  of  the  species,  they  are  scarcely 
perceptible.  The  face,  except  in  two  species,  is  destitute  of  feathers. 
The  gullet  is  naked,  and  capable  of  great  extension.  The  number 
of  toes  is  four,  and  these  are  all  webbed  together. 

The  Pelicans  are"  gregarious ;  and,  in  general  remarkable  for  their 
extreme  voracity.  They  are  very  expert  in  seizing  fish  with  their 
long  and  apparently  unwieldy  bills ;  and  many  of  the  species  are 
rendered  of  use  to  mankind,  by  being  trained  to  fishing.  In  general, 
they  keep  out  far  at  sea ;  but  some  of  them  are  found  occasionally  in 
the  interior  parts  of  continents. 


THE   WHITE,    OR   GREAT   PELICAN. 


THE   WHITE,   OR   GREAT   PELICAN. 

This  Pelican,  when  full  grown,  is  larger  than  a  Swan.  The  bill  is 
about  sixteen  inches  long,  and  the  skin  between  the  sides  of  the  lower 
mandible  is  very  dilatable.  This  skin  is  bare,  and  is  capable  of  con- 
taining many  quarts  of  water.  The  tongue  is  so  small  as  scarcely  to 

be  distinguishable. 
The  sides  of  the  head 
are  naked,  and  on 
the  back  of  the  head 
there  is  a  kind  of 
crest.  The  whole 
plumage  is  whitish, 
suffused  with  a  pale 
|  blush  color,  except 
gome  parts  of  the 
wings,  which  are 
black.  The  legs  are 
lead-colored,  and  the 
claws  grey. 

The  bag  in  the 
lower  mandible  of 
_  the  bill  of  this  biitl 
H  is  one  of  the  most 
±!  remarkable  m  e  m  - 
:4?  l-ers  that  is  found  in 
the  structure  of  any 
=5  animal.  Though 
the  sides  to  which 
it  is  attached, 
are  not  above 
an  inch  asunder,  it  may  be  extended  to  an  amazing  capacity;  and 
when  the  bird  has  fished  with  success,  its  size  is  almost  incredible. 
It  will  contain  a  man's  head  with  the  greatest  ease ;  and,  it  has  been 
said,  that  even  a  man's  leg,  with  a  boot  on,  has  been  hidden  in  one 
of  these  pouches.  In  fishing,  the  Pelican  fills  this  bag,  and  does  not 
immediately  swallow  his  prey;  but  when  the  bag  is  full,  he  returns 
to  the  shore  to  devour  at  leisure  the  fruits  of  his  industry.  He  is  not 
long  in  digesting  his  food;  for  he  has  generally  to  fish  more  than 
once  in  the  course  of  a  day. 

At  night,  when  the  toils  of  the  day  are  over,  these  birds,  which 
are  lazy  and  indolent  when  they  have  glutted  themselves  with  fish, 
retire  a  little  way  on  the  shore  to  take  their  rest  for  the  night.  Their 
attituda  in  that  state  is  with  their  head  resting  against  the  breast. 
They  remain  almost  motionless  till  hunger  calls  them  to  break  oft" 
their  repose:  thus  they  pass  nearly  the  whole  of  their  life  in  eating 
and  sleeping.  When  thus  incited  to  exertion,  they  fly  from  the  «pot, 
and,  raising  themselves  thirty  or  forty  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 
sea,  turn  their  head  with  one  eye  downward,  and  continue  to  fly  in 
that  position  till  they  see  a  fish  sufficiently  near  the  surface.  They 


P8UCUUJ8. 


'THE   WHITE,   OR  GKEAT   PELICAN. 


C93 


then  dart  down  with  astonishing  swiftness,  seize  it  with  unerring  cer 
tainty,  and  store  it  in  their  poach.  Having  done  this,  they  rise  again, 
and  continue  the  same  actions  till  they  have  procured  a  competent 
stock. 

Whence  it  was  that  the  ancients  attributed  to  this  stupid  bird  the 
admirable  qualities  and  parental  affections  for  which  it  was  celebrated 
amongst  them,  I  am  unable  to  imagine;  unless,  struck  with  its  extra- 
ordinary figure,  they  were  desirous  of  supplying  it  with  propensities 
equally  extraordinary.  For,  in  truth,  the  Pelican  is  one  of  the  most 
heavy,  sluggish,  and  voracious,  of  all  the  feathered  tribes ;  and  is  but 
ill-fitted  to  take  those  vast  flights,  or  to  make  those  cautious  pro- 
visions, which  have  been  mentioned. 

It  is,  however,  by  no  means  destitute  of  natural  affection,  either 

towards  its  young-ones,  or 
towards  others  of  its  own 
species.  Clavigero,  in  his 
History  of  Mexico,  says,  that 
sometimes  the  Americans,  in 
order  to  procure,  without 
trouble,  a  supply  of  fish, 
cruelly  break  the  wing  of  a 
live  Pelican,  and,  after  tying 
the  bird  to  a  tree,  conceal 
themselves  near  the  place. 
The  screams  of  the  miserable 
bird  attract  other  Pelicans  to 
the  place,  which,  he  assures 
us,  eject  a  portion  of  the  pro- 
visions from  their  pouches, 
for  their  imprisoned  compa- 
nion. As  soon  as  the  men 
observe  this,  they  rush  to  the 
spot,  and,  after  leaving  a 
small  quantity  for  the  bird, 
carry  off  the  remainder. 

The  female  feeds  her  young- 
ones  with  fish  macerated  for 
some  time  in  her  bag.  Labat 
informs  us,  that  he  caught 

two  Pelicans,  when  very  young,  and  tied  them  by  the  leg  to  a  post 
ptuck  into  the  ground  ;  and  he  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  one  of  the 
old  ones  come  for  several  days  to  feed  them,  remaining  with  them 
the  greatest  part  of  the  day,  and  passing  the  night  on  the  branch  of 
a  tree  that  hung  over  them.  By  this  means  they  all  three  became  so 
familiar  as  to  suffer  themselves  to  be  handled ;  and  the  young-onea 
always  took  the  fish  that  he  offered  to  them,  storing  it  first  iu  their 
bag,  and  then  swallowing  it  at  leisure. 

The  Pelican  has  often  been  rendered  domestic ;  and  this  writer 
assures  us,  that  he  saw  one  among  the  Americans  so  well  trained, 
that  it  would  at  command,  go  off  in  the  morning,  and  return  before 


TISH  HAWS  ROBBING  A   PEUCAN, 


394  TI1E   FRIGATE   PELICAN. 

ftight,  having  its  pouch  distended  with  prey;  part  of  which  it  was 
made  to  disgorge,  aud  the  rest  it  was  permitted  to  retain  for  its 
^rouble. 

According  to  the  account  of  Fal>er,  a  Pelican  was  kept  in  the  court 
of  the  Duke  of  Bavaria  alx»ve  forty  years.  lie  says  that  it  seemed 
fond  of  being  in  the  company  of  mankind;  and  that  when  any  one 
sang  or  played  on  an  instrument,  it  would  stand  perfectly  still,  turn 
its  ear  to  the  place,  and,  with  its  head  stretched  oat,  would  seem  to 
pay  the  utmost  attention.  We  are  told  that  the  Em)>eror  Maximilian 
had  a  tame  Pelican  that  lived  more  than  eighty  years,  ajid  always 
attended  his  soldiers  when  on  their  marches.  M.  de  Saint  Pierre 
mentions  his  having  seen,  at  Cape  Town,  a  large  Pelican  playing 
with  a  great  dog,  whose  head  she  often,  in  her  frolic,  took  into  her 
enormous  beak. 

When  a  number  of  Pelicans  and  Corvo rants  are, together,  they  are 
said  to  have  a  very  singular  method  of  taking  fish.  They  arrange 
themselves  in  a  large  circle,  at  some  distance  from  land:  and  the 
Pelicans  flap  with  their  extensive  wings  above,  on  the  surface,  while 
the  Corvorants  dive  beneath:  hence  the  fish  contained  within  the 
circle  are  driven  before  them  toward  the  land  ;  and  as  the  circle 
lessens  by  the  birds  -coming  close  together,  the  tish  at  last  are 
brought  into  a  small  compass,  when  their  pursuers  find  no  dilHculty 
in  filling  their  bellies.  In  this  exercise  they  are  often  attended 
by  various  species  of  gulls,  which  likewise  obtain  a  share  of  the 
spoil. 


THE   FRIGATE   PELICAN. 

The  Frigate  Pelican,  or  Man-of-war  Bird  is  chiefly  seen  on  th« 
tropical  seas,  and  generally  on  the  wing.  They  are  abundant  in  the 
Island  of  Ascension,  India,  Ceylon  and  China.  In  the  South  Sea 
they  are  seen  about  the  Marquesas,  Easter  Isles  and  New  Caledonh, 
•,lso  at  Otaheite.  Dampier  saw  them  in  great  plenty  in  the  island  of 
A.VCS  in  the  West  Indies,  and  they  are  common  off  the  coast  of  East 
Florida,  particularly  around  the  reefs  or  keys,  often  assembled  in 
flocks  of  from  fifty  to  a  thousand.  They  are  also  not  uncommon 
during  summer,  along  the  coasts  of  the  Union  as  far  as  S>uth 
Carolina,  and  breed  in  various  places,  retiring  to  warmer  latitudes  at 
the  approach  of  cool  weather. 

The  Frigate  Bird  is  often  seen  smoothly  gliding  through  the  air. 
with  the  motions  of  a  Kite,  from  one  to  two  hundred  leagues  from 
the  land,  sustaining  these  vast  flights  with  the  greatest  apparent  ease, 
sometimes  soaring  so  high  as  to  l>e  scarcely  visible,  at  others 
approaching  the  surface  of  the  sea,  where,  hovering  at  some  distance, 
it  at  length  espies  a  tish,  and  darts  upon  it  with  the  utmost  rapidity, 
and  generally  with  success,  flying  upwards  again,  as  quick  as  it 
descended.  In  the  same  manner  it  also  attacks  the  Boobies  and  other 
marine  birds  which  it  obliges  to  relinquish  their  prey. 

They  breed  abundantly  iu  the  Bahamas,  and  are  said  to  make  their 


THE   CORVORANT. 


nests  on   trees,  if  near:  at  other  times  they  lay  on   the  rocks;   the 

eggs  one  or  two. 
are  of  a  flesh 
color,  marked 
with  crimson 
spots.  The 
young  birds 
covered  with  a 
g  r  ey  i  sh-white 
down,  are  assid- 
uously attended 
by  the  parents 
who  are  then 
tame,  and  easily 
approached. 
When  alarmed, 
like  Gulls,  they 
as  readily  cast 
up  the  contents 
of  their  pouch, 
as  these  birds 
do  of  the  stom- 
ach. rl  he  gene- 
ral plumage  is 
brownish  -  black, 
with  violet  re- 
flections, except 
the  wing  coverts 
which  have  a 


FRIGATE   PEUCAN. 


rufous  tinge. 


THE  CORVORAXT. 


These  birds  are  common  on  many  of  our  sea-coasts.  They  build 
tneir  nests  on  the  highest  parts  of  the  clifi's,  that  hang  over  the  sea  ; 
and  lay  three  or  more  pale  green  e<rgs,  about  the  size  of  those  of  a 
Goose.  In  winter  they  disperse  along  the  shores,  and  visit  the  fresh 
waters,  where  they  commit  great  depredations  among  the  fish.  They 
are  remarkably  voracious  ;  having  a  most  rapid  digestion,  promoted 
perhaps,  by  an  infinite  number  of  small  worms  which  fill  their  intes- 
tines. They  are  very  wary,  except  when  they  have  filled  their 
stomach;  but  in  this  case  they  sometimes  become  so  stupid,  that  it  ia 
easy  to  take  them  in  a  net,  or  even  by  means  of  a  noose  thrown  ovei 
their  heads. 

Their  smell  when  alive,  is  excessively  rank  and  disagreeable;  and 
their  flesh  is  so  disgusting,  that  even  the  Grccnlanders,  among  wnom 
they  are  very  common,  will  scarcely  eat  them. 

It  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  see,  on  the  rocks  of  the  sea-coast, 
twenty  of  these  birds  together,  with  extended  wings,  drying  them- 
selves in  the  wind;  in  this  position  they  remain  sometimes  nearly  au 
hour,  without  once  closing  their  wings,  and,  as  soon  as  these  are  suf 


396  TIIE   GANNET,   OR   SOLAN   GOOSE. 

ficiently  dry  to  enable  the  feathers  to  imbibe  the  oil,  they  press  this 
substance  from,  the  receptacle  on  their  rumps,  and  dress  the  feathers 
with  it.  It  is  only  in  one  particular  state  that  the  oily  matter  can  be 
spread  on  them — when  they  are  somewhat  damp;  and  the  instinct  of 
the  birds  teaches  them  the  proper  moment. 


COBVOBANTS. 


The  skins  of  Corvorants  are  very  tough,  and  are  used  by  the  Green- 
landers,  when  sewed  together  and  put  into  proper  form,  for  garments. 
And  the  skin  of  the  jaws  serves  that  people  for  bladders  to  buoy  up 
their  smaller  kinds  of  fishing  darts.  In  China  great  numbers  of  tame 
Corvorants  are  taught  to  catch  fish  for  the  benefit  of  their  owners.  The 
birds  so  employed  are  kept  in  a  state  of  captivity  from  the  moment  of 
their  birth.  When  old  enough,  they  are  taken  to  the  water  side,  and 
carefully  taught  to  bring  to  their  master  the  fishes  they  procure. 


THE   GANNET,    OR   SOLAN   GOOSE. 

•  ' 

These  birds  are  insatiably  voracious,  and  yet  they  are  somewhat  par- 
ticular in  their  choice  of  prey,  disdaining,  unless  in  great  want,  to  eat 
any  food  worse  than  Herring  or  Mackerel.  No  fewer  than  one  hundred 
thousand  Gannets  are  supposed  to  frequent  the  rocks  of  St.  Kilda;  and 
of  these,  including  the  young  ones,  at  least  twenty  thousand  are  annually 


THE    GAXXET,    OR    SOLAN    GOOSE. 


307 


Killed  by  the  inhabitants  for  food.  Allowing  that  the  birds  remain 
in  this  part  of  the  country  about  six  mouths  in  the  year,  and  thut  each 
bird  destroys  five  Herrings  in  a  day,  which  is  considerably  less  than 
the  average,  we  have  at  least  ninety  millions  of  the  finest  tishts  in  the 
w-»rld  annually  devoured  by  a  single  species  of  Saint  Kilda  Birds. 

The  Gannets  frequent  nearly  all  the  Hebrides,  and  are  sometimes 

ii3tm  on  the  Cornish  Coast ;  but  they  seldom  occur  in  any  other  parts 

of  Kurope.     They  are  migratory  ;  and  first  appear  in  the  above  islands 

bout  the  month  of  March  :  they  remain  till  August  or  September. 

They  build  their  nest  on  the  highest  and  steepest  rocks  they  can 

find  near  t  h  o 
sea;  laying-,  if 
undisturbed, 
only  one  egg  in 
the  year ;  I  ut 
if  that  be  take  n 
away,  they  will 
lay  another,  and 
if  that  be  al.'o 
taken,  a  third, 
but  never  11:010 
in  the  same  sea- 
son. The  e<.'o- 
is  Mhite,  end  is 
rather  smaller 
than  that  of  the 
Goose.  The 
nests  are  com- 
posed of  grass, 
sea  plants,  or 
any  refuse  fitted 
for  the  purpose 
that  the  birds 
find  floating  on 
the  water.  The 
young  Gannets, 
during  the  first 
year,  d  i  if  e  r 
greatly  from  the 
old  ones;  for 
they  are  of  a 
dusky  hue. 

These  birds,  when  they  pass  from  place  to  place,  unite  in  small 
flocks  of  from  five  to  fifteen;  and,  except  in  very  fine  weather,  they 
fly  low,  near  the  shore,  but  never  pass  over  it ;  doubling  the  capes  and 
projecting  parts,  and  keeping  at  nearly  an  equal  distance  from  the 
land.  During  their  fishing  they  rise  high  into  the  air,  and  sail  aloft 
over  the  shoals  of  Herrings  or  Pilchards,  much  in  the  manner  of  Kile*.' 
When  they  observe  the  shoal  crowded  thick  together,  they  close  iheir 
wiugs  to  their  sides,  and  precipitate  themselves,  head  foremost  iuta 


CATCHING    GANNETS. 


308 


THE    BOOBY 


the  water,  dropping  almost  like  a  stone.  Tlieir  eye  in  this  act  is  so 
correct,  that  they  never  fail  to  rise  with  a  fish  in  their  mouth. 

Mr.  Pennant  says,  that  the  natives  of  Saint  Kilda  hold  these  birds 
in  much  estimation,  and  orten  undergo  the  greatest  risks  to  obtain 
them.  Where  it  is  possible,  they  climb  up  the  rocks  which  they 
frequent,  and  in  doing  this  they  pass  along  paths  so  narrow  and 
difficult,  as,  in  appearance,  to  allow  them  barely  room  to  cling,  and 
that  too  at  an  amazing  height  over  a  raging  sea.  Where  this  cannot 
be  done,  the  fowler  is  lowered  by  a  rope  from  the  top;  and,  to  tako 
the  young-ones,  oftentimes  stations  himself  on  the  most  dangerous 
ledges.  Unterrified,  however,  he  ransacks  all  the  nests  within  his 
reach ;  and  then,  by  means  of  a  pole  and  his  rope,  he  moves  off  to 
other  places  to  do  the  same. 

We  are  told  also,  ttiat  to  take  the  old  birds,  the  inhabitants  tie  a 
Herring  to  a  board,  and  set  it  alloat ;  so  that,  by  falling  furioiisly 
upon  it,  the  bird  may  break  its  neck  in  the  attempt. 


THE   BOOBY. 

This  and  some  other  species  have  been  denominated  Boobies  from 
their  excessive  stu- 
pidity ;  their  silly 
aspect ;  and  their 
habit  of  continually 
shaking  their  head 
and  shivering,  when 
they  alight  on  t  he 
yards  or  rigging  of 
vessels,  where  they 
often  suffer  the  m- 
selves  to  be  taken 
with  the  hand.  1  n 
their  shape  and  or- 
ganization  they 
greatly  resemble  the 
Corvorants. 

The  Boobies  have 
an  enemy  of  their 
own  tribe,  that  per- 
petually harasses 
them.  This  is  the 
Frigate  Pelican; 
which  rushes  upon 
them,  pursues  them 
without  intermission, 
and  obliges  them  by 
blows  with  its  wing 
and  bill,  to  surrender 
lh*s  prey  that  they  have  taken,  which  it  instantly  seizes  and  swallows. 


\ 


THE   FISHING  CORVORANT. 


Dampier  gives  us  a  curious  account  of  the  hostilities  between  what 
he  calls  Man-of-war  Birds,  and  the  Boobies,  in  the  Alcrane  Islands, 
on  the  coast  of  Yucatan.  "  These  birds  were  crowded  so  thick,  that 
I  could  not  (he  says)  pass  their  haunts  without  being  incommoded  by 
their  pecking.  I  observed  that  they  were  ranged  in  pairs;  which 
made  me  presume  that  they  were  male  and  female.  AY  hen  I  struck 
them  some  flew  away  ;  but  the  greater  number  remained,  .and  would 
not  stir,  notwithstanding  all  I  could  do  to  rouse  them.  I  remarked 
also,  that  the  Man-of-war  Birds  and  the  Boobies  always  placed  sentinels 
aver  their  young-ones,  especially  when  they  went  to  sea  for  provisions. 
Of  the  Man-of-war  Birds,  many  were  sick  or  maimed,  and  seemed  unlit 
to  procure  their  subsistence.  They  lived  not  with  the  rest  of  their 
kind  ;  being  either  expelled  from  society,  or  separated  by  choice,  and 
were  dispersed  in  different  places,  probably  that  they  might  have  a 
better  opportunity  of  pillaging.  On  one  of  the  islands  I  once  saw 
more  than  twenty  sally  out  from  time  to  time  into  the  open  country, 
in  crder  to  carry  off  booty,  and  return  again  almost  immediately. 

When  one  of  them 
surprised  a  young 
Booby  that  had  no 
guard,  he  gave  it  a 
violent  peck  on  the 
back  to  make  it  dis- 
gorge ;  which  it  did 
instantly  :  it  cast  up 
one  or  two  fish  about 
the  bulk  of  one's 
hand,  which  -the  old 
M  a  n-o  f-w  a  r  Bird 
swallowed.  The  vig- 
orous ones  play  the 
same  game  with  the 
old  Boobies  which 
they  find  at  sea.  I 
saw  one  myself,  which 
flew  right  against  a 
Booby  ;  and,  with 
one  stroke  of  its  bill, 
made  him  deliver  up 
a  fish  that  he  had 
just  swallowed.  The 
Man-of-war  Bird 
darted  so  rapidly,  as 
catch  this  fish  in  the  air  before  it  could  fall  into  the  water." 


BOOST  OP  THE   BASS   ROCK. 


THE   FISHING   CORVORANT 


The  following  account  of  this  Chinese  bird,  by  Sir  George  Staunton, 
la  the  most  authentic  of  any  that  has  yet  been  given  to  us : 


400 


THE    FISHING    CORVORANT. 


4C1 


MThc  embassy  (lie  says)  had  not  proceeded  far  on  tlie  southern 
branch  of  the  Imperial  Canal,  when  they  arrived  in  tlie  vicinity  of  a 
place  where  the  Leutze,  or  faned  ri.shing-bird  of  China,  is  bred,  and 
instructed  in  the  art  and  practice  of  supplying  his  owner  with  Jish 
in  great  abundance. 

u"Ou  a  large  lake  clos3  to  this  part  of  the  canal,  and  to  the  east- 
ward of  it,  are  thousands  of 
small  boats  an  1  rafts,  built 
entirely  for  th:s  species  of  fish- 
ing. Ou  e:ich  boat  or  raft  are 
ten  or  a  do/^n  birds,  which  at  a 
signal  from  the  owner,  plunge 
into  the  water;  and  it  is  aston- 
ishing to  see  the  enormous  si/.e 
of  the  lish  with  which  they 
return,  grasped  within  their 
hills.  They  appeared  to  be  so 
well  trained,  that  it  did  n->t 
require  either  ring  or  cord 
about  their  throats,  to  prevent 
them  from  swallowing  any  por- 
tion of  their  prey,  except  what 
the  master  w.is  pleased  to  re- 
turn to  them  for  encouragement 
and  foo  1.  The  boat  used  by 
the.se  fidiermeii^  is  of  a  remark- 
ably light  nuke;  and  is  often  carried  to  the  lake,  together  with  the 
fishing  birds,  by  the  men  who  are  there  to  be  supported  by  it." 

M.  de  Buftbn  says,  that  they  are  regularly  educated  to  fishing,  aa 
Tun  rear  Spaniels  or  Hawks,  and  one  man 
;an  easily  manage  a  hundred.  The  fisher- 
Jian  carries  them  out  into  a  lake,  perched 
3u  the  gunnel  of  his  boat;  where  they  con- 
tinue tranquil,  and  wait  for  his  orders  with 
patience.  When  arrived  at  the  proper 
place,  on  the  first  signal,  each  flies  a  diff- 
erent way,  to  fulfil  the  task  assigned  to  it.  It 
is  pleasant  on  this  occasion  to  behold  with 
what  sagacity  they  portion  out  the  lake  or 
canal  where  they  are  upon  duty.  They 
hunt  about,  they  plunge,  they  rise  a  hun- 
dred times  to  the  surface,  until  they  have 
at  last  found  their  prey.  They  then  seize  it 
by  the  middle,  and  carry  it  to  their  master.  When  the  fish  is  too 
large,  they  assist  each  other;  one  seizes  it  by  the  head,  and  another 
by  the  tail,  and  in  this  manner  they  carry  it  to  the  boat  together 
There  the  boatman  stretches  out  one  of  his  long  oars,  on  which 
they  perch,  and  after  being  delivered  of  their  burden,  again  fly  off 
to  pursue  their  sport.  When  they  are  wearied,  he  suffers  them  to 
rest  awhile ;  but  they  are  never  fed  until  their  work  is  over  To 


F1SHINU    CORVOKA.XT. 


402 


THE   RED-BACKED   PELICAN THE   DARTER   TRIBE. 


thi?  manner  they  supply  a  very  plentiful  table;  but  still  their  naturij 
pl'jctony  cannot  be  reclaimed  even  by  education.  They  have  always 
a  string  fastened  round  their  throats  while  they  fish,  for  the  purpose 
of  preventing  them  from  swallowing  their  prey;  as  they  would 
oilurxvise  at  once  satiate  themselves,  and  discontinue  their  pursuit. 


OF  THE  DARTER  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

THESE  birds  have  a  small  head,  and  a  very  long  and  slender  neck. 
1  heir  bill  is  long,  straight,  and  sharp-pointed,  and,  at  its  base,  are  the 
nostrils,  situated  in  a  long  and  conspicuous  fissure.  The  face  and 
chin  are  bare  of  feathers.  The  legs  are  short,  and  the  four  toes  are 
all  well  webbed  together. 

There  are  but  three  ascertained  species  of  this  tribe,  and  these  are 
confined  to  the  hot  latitudes;  two  to  America,  and  the  third  princi- 
pally to  Ceylon  and  Java.  They  live  almost  entirely  on  fish,  which 
they  take  by  darting  forward  their  bill.  They  generally  build  their 
nests  and  roost  in  the  trees. 

THE   BLACK-BELLIED    DARTER,    AND   THE   WHITE-BELLIED    DARTER. 

In  countries  where  every  one's  ideas  run  on  poisonous  animals, 
any  person  who  sees  only  the  head  and  neck  of  the  Black-bellied 
Darter,  while  the  rest  of  the  body  is  concealed  among  the  foliage, 
would  naturally  mistake  it  for  one  of  those  serpents  accustomed°to 
climb  into  and  reside  in  trees.     And  the  illusion  is  increased  by  ita 
having  all  the  tortuous  motion  of  those  reptiles.     In  whatever  situa- 
tion   it    happens  to 
be,   whether  swim- 
ming,  flying,  or   at 
rest,  the  most  appa- 
rent  and    remarka- 
ble part  of  its  body 
is    its     long    and 
Blender  neck,  which 
is  constantly  in  mo- 
tion, except  during 
flight,   when  it   be- 
comes     immovable 
and    extended,  and 
forms,  with  the  tail, 
a  perfectly  straight 
and  horizontal  line. 
The  principal  food 
of  the  Black-bellied 
Darter   is   fish, 
which,    if    small 
enough,  it  swallows 
entire;  but,  if  they  are  too  large,  it  flies  off  with  them  to  some  rock  01 
stump  of  a  tree,  where,  fixing  them  under  one  of  its  feet,  it  tears  them 
to  pieces  with  its  bill. 


BLACK-BMJJED  DARTER. 


THE   AMERICAN   DARTER. 


403 


AMERICAN    DARTER. 


Though  water  is  its  principal  element,  yet  this  bird  builds  its  nest 
on  rocks  and  trees;  but  always  on  those  so  near  to  the  river,  that  it 
can,  in  case  of  danger,  precipitate  itself  into  it. 
26 


404  OF   THE   DIVER   TRIBE   IN   GENERAL. 

There  are  few  birds  that  exceed  these  in  sagacity  and  cunning, 
particularly  when  surprised  on  the  water.  In  this  situation  it  is 
almost  impossible  to  kill  them.  Their  head,  which  is  the  only  part 
exposed,  disappears  the  instant  the  flint  touches  the  hammer  of  the 
gun ;  and,  if  once  missed,  it  is  in  vain  to  think  of  approaching  them 
a  second  time,  as  they  never  show  themselves  more  than  once,  unless 
at  very  great  distances,  and  then  only  for  the  moment  necessary  for 
breathing.  In  short,  so  cunning  are  they,  that  they  will  often  baffle 
the  sportsman,  by  plunging  at  the  distance  of  a  hundred  paces  above, 
and  rising  again  to  breathe  at  the  distance  of  more  than  a  thousand 
below  him ;  and  if  they  have  the  good  fortune  to  find  any  reeds,  they 
conceal  themselves  there,  and  entirely  disappear. 

These  birds  are  found  in  several  parts  of  the  south  of  Africa,  and 
in  the  islands  of  Ceylon  and  Java. 

The  W hitc-bellied  Darters,  according  to  the  account  of  Mr.  Bartram, 
are  natives  of  America.  lie  states,  that  they  have  a  peculiar  manner 
of  spreading  out  their  tail,  like  an  unfurled  fan.  They  delight  to  sit 
in  -little  peaceable  communities,  on  the  dry  limbs  of  trees,  hanging 
over  the  still  waters,  with  their  wings  and  tail  expanded;  and,  when 
approached,  they  drop  from  the  limb  into  the  water,  as  if  dead,  and 

for  a  minute  or  two  are  not  seen, 
when,  on  a  sudden,  at  a  vast  distance, 
their  long  slender  heads  and  necks 
are  raised,  and  have  much  the  ap- 
pearance of  snakes,  as  no  other  parts 
of  the  body  are  to  be  seen  when 
swimming,  except  sometimes  the  tip 

of  the  tail-  In  tlie  heat  of  tlie  day 

they  are  often  seen,  in  great  numbers 
sailing  high  in  the  air  over  the  rivers 


In  remote  districts,  seldom  visited  by  man,  these  birds  evince  so  little 
shyness,  that  it  is  not  difficult  to  procure  -specimens  ;  all  that  is  requisite 
is  to  find  out  the  trees  upon  which  they  sleep  and  towards  evening  to 
take  up  a  position  in  the  vicinity  and  patiently  await  their  coming. 
When  one  of  them  is  shot,  all  the  survivors  tumble,  as  if  dead,  into  the 
water  below,  where  they  immediately  dive,  and  when  they  come  up 
again,  only  show  their  necks  above  the  surface  ;  moreover  they  generally 
ensconce  themselves  among  the  floating  weeds,  where  they  are  hidden 
from  observation. 

OF  TEE  DIVER  TRIBE  IX  GENERAL. 

IN  the  Divers  the  bill  is  slender,  pointed,  and  nearly  straight;  the 
i  ostrils  are  linear,  and  situated  at  the  base.  The  tongue  is  long  and 
Blender ;  and  the  legs  are  placed  backwards  near  the  tail. 

These  birds  walk  awkwardly,  and  with  great  difficulty;  but  they 
fly  very  swiftly  along  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  swim  and  dive 
with  remarkable  dexterity.  One  division  of  them,  the  Guillemots, 
chiefly  inhabit  the  sea ;  but  the  rest  seldom  frequent  any  but  rivers'. 


THE   NORTHERN   DIVER,   OR   LOON. 


405 


HORTHERN  DIVER. 


THE  NORTHERN   DIVER,   OR   LOON. 

Every  part  and  proportion  of  this  bird  is  so  incomparably  adapted 

to  its  mode  of  life, 
that  in  no  instance 
do  we  see  the  wis- 
dom of  God  in  the. 
creation  to  more  ad- 
vantage. The  head 
is  sharp ;  and  smaller 
than  the  part  of  the 
neck  adjoining,  in 
order  that  it  may 
_  pierce  the  water : 
?  the  wings  are  placed 
forward,  and  out  of 
the  centre  of  grav- 
ity; for  a  purpose 
whi  ch  will  be 
noticed  hereafter :  the  thighs  are  quite  backward,  in  order  to  facili- 
tate diving ;  and  the  legs  are  flat,  and  almost  as  sharp  backwards  as 
the  edge  of  a  knife,  that,  in  striking  they  may  easily  cut  the  water : 
while  the  feet  are  broad  for  swimming;  yet  so  folded  up,  when 
advanced  forward  to  take  a  fresh  stroke,  as  to  be  full  as  narrow  aa 
the  shank.  The  two  exterior  toes  of  the  feet  are  longest;  and  the 
nails  are  flat  and  broad,  resembling  those  of  the  human  body; 
which  give  strength  to  the  bird,  and  increase  its  power  of  swimming. 
The  foot,  when  expanded,  is  not  at  right  angles  to  the  leg ;  but  the 
exterior  part,  inclining  towards  the  head,  forms  an  acute  angle  with  the 
body  :  the  intention  being,  not  to  give  motion  in  the  line  of  the  legs 
themselves,  but  by  the  combined  impulse  of  both  in  an  intermediate 
line,  the  line  of  the  body. 

M  ^st  people  who  have  exercised  any  degree  of  observation,  know 
that  the  swimming  of  birds  is  nothing  more 
than  walking  in  the  water,  where  one  foot 
succeeds  the  other  as  on  the  land  ;  but  no  one, 
as  far  as  I  am  aware,  says  the  Rev.  Mr. 
White,  has  remarked  that  diving-fowls,  while 
under  water,  impel  and  row  themselves  for- 
ward by  a  motion  of  their  wings,  as  well  as 
by  the  impulse  of  their  feet:  yet  such  is 
really  the  case,  as  any  one  may  easily  be 
convinced,  who  will  observe  ducks  when 
hunted  by  dogs  in  a  clear  pond.  Nor  do  I 
know  that  any  one  has  given  a  reason  why 
the  wings  of  diving-fowls  are  placed  so 
forward :  doubtless,  not  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  their  speed  in 
flying,  since  that  position  certainly  impedes  it :  but  probably  for  the 
increase  of  their  motion  under  water,  by  the  use  of  four  oars  instead 
of  two  ;  and  were  the  wings  and  feet  nearer  together,  as  in  land-birds, 
ihey  would,  when  in  action ,  rather  hinder  than  assist  one  another. 


KORTH1RN    DIVER. 


406 


OF   THE   GULLS   IN   GENERAL. 


OF  THE  GULLS  IN  GENERAL. 

THKIB  bill  is  strong,  straight,  and  slightly  hooked  at  the  point. 
On  the  under  part  of  the  lower  mandible  there  is  an  angular  promi- 
nence. The  nostrils  are  oblong  and  narrow,  placed  in  the  middle  of 
the  bill ;  and  the  tongue  is  somewhat  cloven.  The  legs  are  short,  and 
naked  above  the  knees ;  and  the  back  toe  is  small. 

The  Gulls  frequent  chiefly  the  northern  countries,  and  their  habits 
dift'er  from  those  of  most  other  water-fowl.  They  do  not  dive  so  much 
as  others  ;  but  they  usually  feed  on  the  gregarious  species  of  fish  and 
their  fry,  which  they  catch  near  the  surface  of  the  water.  When  the 
Bea  is  rough  they  come  into  the  harbors,  where  they  feed  on  worms. 
They  are  exceedingly  voracious;  and,  when  terrified,  throw  up  their 
undigested  food.  By  the  lightness  of  their  body,  and  the  length  of 
their  wings,  they  are  enabled  to  fly  with  considerable  rapidity.  The 
young-ones  do  net  become  of  the  same  color  with  the  old  birds,  until 
iheir  third  year.  The  eggs  are  eatable,  but  their  flesh  is  generaUy 
lough  and  unpleasant. 


THE  SKUA  GULL CLACK-HEADED  GULL. 


407 


THE  SKUA  GULL. 

The  Skua  Gull  inhabits  Norway,  the  Feroe  Islands,  and  other  parts 
of  the  north  of  Europe.  It  is  the  most  formidable  bird  of  its  tribe ;  its 
prey  being  not  only  fish,  but  (what  is  wonderful  in  a  web-footed  bird) 
all  the  lesser  sorts  of  water- fowl,  and  (according  to  the  account  of  Mr. 
Schroter,  a  surgeon  of  the  Feroe  Isles)  Ducks,  Poultry,  and  even  young 
Lambs. 

Dogs,  Foxes,  and  other  animals  arc  instantly  attacked  and  so  severely 
dealt  with  by  the  wings  and  beak  of  the  Skua,  as  to  be  driven  to  a 
hasty  retreat,  and  no  bird  is  permitted  to  approach  with  impunity  ;  other 
Gulls  are  however  exposed  to  the  attacks  of  these  robbers,  probably 
because,  being  the  most  diligent  pursuers  of  fish,  they  are  sure  to  find 
from  their  exertions  a  never  failing  supply.  The  nest  consists  of  dried 
weeds.  There  are  two  eggs  of  a  dark  olive-green  blotched  with  brown. 

In  defending  its  offspring  it  has  the  fierceness  of  the  Eagle.  When 
the  inhabitants  of  the  Feroe  Islands  visit  the  nest  of  the  Skua  Gull,  the 
parent  birds  attack  them  with  such  force,  that,  if  they  hold  a  knife 
perpendicularly  over  their  heads,  the  Gulls  will  sometimes  transfix 
themselves  in  their  fall  on  the  plunderers. 

In  Foula,  the  Skua  Gulls  are 
privileged  ;  being  said  to  defend 
the  flocks  from  the  attacks  of  the 
Eagle,  which  they  beat  off  and 
pursue  with  great  fury ;  so  that 
even  that  rapacious  bird  seldom 
ventures  to  approach  the  places 
which  they  inhabit.  The  natives 
of  Foula  on  this  account  impose 
a  fine  upon  any  person  who  de- 
stroys one  of  these  useful  defend- 
ers :  and  deny  that  they  ever  in- 
jure their  flocks  or  poultry  ;  but 
imagine  them  to  live  only  on  the 
dung  of  the  Arctic  Gull  and 
other  larger  birds. 

BLACK-HEADED   GULL. 

This  species,  very  common  in 
most  parts  of  America,  is  also 
frequent  in  Europe,  particularly 
in  the  warmer  parts,  as  the  coasts 
of  Sicily,  Spain,  and  the  islands 
of  the  Mediterranean  ;  elsewhere 
in  that  continent  it  is  rare.  In 
America  it  is  found  as  far  south 
as  Cayenne  and  Mexico,  but  does 
not  appear  to  inhabit  far  north  of 
the  limits  of  the  Union.  Ou  the 


AKCT1C   GULLS   IN    KJ&SU1T. 


408 


RICHARDSON'S  JAGER. 


coast  of  New  Jersey  they  make  their  appearance  in  the  latter  part  of 
April,  and  are  soon  discovered  by  their  familiarity  and  noise ;  com- 
panies are  even  seen  at  times  around  the  farm  house,  or  coursing 
along  the  river  shores,  attending  upon  the  track  of  the  fishermen 
for  garbage,  gleaning  among  the  refuse  of  the  tide ;  or  scattering 
over  the  marshes  and  plowing  fields,  they  collect,  at  this  season,  ar 
abundant  repast  of  worms,  insects  and  their  larvae.  Great  numbers 
are  also  seen  collected  together  to  feed  upon  the  prolific  spawn  of 
the  King-Crab.  While  thus  engaged,  if  approached,  they  rise  as  it 
were  in  clouds,  at  the  same  time  squalling  so  loudly  that  the  dia 
"may  he  heard  for  two  or  three  miles. 

The  Black-Headed  Gulls  breed  in  the  marshes  of  New  Jersey,  but 
are  not  seen  at  this  period  in  New  England,  and  are  indeed  at  all 
times  rare  in  that  quarter.  The  eggs,  three  in  number,  are  of  a  drab 
or  olive  grey,  thinly  marked  with  small  irregular  touches  of  pale 
purple,  and  dilute  brown.  They  measure  two  and  a  quarter  inches 
by  one  and  a  half.  Being  apparently  a  somewhat  tender  species, 
they  retire  to  the  south  early  in  autumn,  and  on  commencing  their 
migrations,  if  the  weather  be  calm,  they  are  seen  to  rise  up  in  the 
air  spirally,  all  loudly  chattering  as  it  were  in  concert,  like  a  flock 
of  cackling  hens,  the  note  changing  at  short  intervals  into  a  'haw, 
*&a,  'ha,  'ha,  'haw,  the  final  syllable  lengthened  out  into  an  excessive 
and  broad  laugh.  After  ascending  to  a  considerable  height,  they 
all  move  off',  by  common  consent,  in  the  line  of  their  intended 
destination. 


RICHARDSON'S  JAGER. 

This  species,  according  to  Dr.  Richardson,  breeds  in  considerable 
numbers  in  the 
Barren  Grounds, 
at  a  distance  from 
:he  coast,  in  the 
latitude  of  about 
65°.  It  feeds  on 
shelly  molusca, 
which  abound  in 
the  small  lakes  of 
the  fur  countries: 
and  it  harasses 
the  Gulls  in  the 
same  way  with 
others  of  the 
genus.  This 
species  is  occa 
sionally  seen  in 
winter,  in  the  inland  bays  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  flying  about  in 
pairs,  or  sitting  on  the  water. 


THE  GREAT,  OR  COMMON  TERN — BLACK  SKIMMER.   409 


THE  GREAT,  OB  COMMON  TERN. 

The  Common  Tern  is  an  inhabitant  of  both  continents,  being  met 

with  on  the  coasts 
of  most  parts  of 
Europe  as  far  north 
as  the  ever  incle- 
ment shores  of 
Greenland  and 
Spitzbergen  ;  it  is 
also  found  on  the 
Arctic  coasts  of 
Siberia  and  Kamt- 
schatka.  In  the 
winter  it  migrates 
to  the  Mediterra- 
nean, Madeira,  and 
the  Canary  Islands. 


n 
breeds  along  all  the 

coasts  of  the  Northern  and  Middle  States,  and  penetrates  north  into 
the  fur  countries,  up  to  the  57th  parallel  of  latitude.  They  also 
breed  on  the  sand-bars  of  the  great  western  lakes,  being  frequent 
in  those  of  Erie,  Huron  and  Superior.  In  short,  no  bird  is  more 
common  along  the  sea  coasts,  and  lakes,  of  the  whole  northern 
hemisphere,  within  the  limits  of  cool  or  moderate  temperature. 

The  Great  Tern  arrives  on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey  about  the 
middle  of  April,  and  soon  after  they  are  seen  on  the  shores  of  New 
England,  where  they  are  known  by  the  name  of  the  Mackerel  Gull, 
appearing,  with  the  approach  of  that  fish,  towards  the  places  of  their 
Bummer  residence.  In  New  York  it  is  dignified,  for  the  same  reason, 
with  'the  appellation  of  the  Sheep's-  Head  Gull,  prognosticating  also, 
the  arrival  of  that  dainty  fish  in  the  waters  of  the  State.  About  the 
middle  of  May,  still  gregarious  as  they  arrive,  they  commence  with 
the  cares  of  reproduction.  Artless  in  contrivance,  the  Terns  remedy 
the  defect  of  a  nest,  by  selecting  for  their  eyries,  insulated  sand-bars, 
wide  beaches,  but  most  commonly  desolate,  bare,  and  small  rock/ 
islets,  difficult  of  access,  and  rarely  visited  by  any  thing  but  them 
•selves  and  birds  of  similar  habits.  A  small  hollow  scratch  on  tl* 
surface  of  the  shelving  rock,  with  the  aid  of  a  little  sand  or  gravel 
merely  sufficient  to  prevent  the  eggs  from  rolling  off,  are  all  tli4 
preparations  employed  by  these  social  and  slovenly  birds. 


410 


THE   HOODED   MERGANSER. 


in  Guiana,  Cayenne,  and  Surinam.  The  East  India  species  is  probably 
distinct.  The  E.  fuha  of  Gniana,  described  by  Linnaeus,  differs  from 
the  present  in  having  those  parts  fulvous  which  in  this  are  black  j  their 
general  appearance  and  habits  are  however  the  same. 

THE   HOODED   MERGANSER. 

This  elegant  species  is  peculiar  to  North  America,  and  inhabits  tho 
interior  and  north- 
ern parts  of  the  fur 
countries  to  their 
utmost  limits.  It 
is  also  among  the 
latest  of  the  Ana 
tidae  to  quit  those 
cold  and  desolate 
regions.  It  makes 
a  nest  of  withered 
grass  and  feathers 
in  retired  and  un- 
frequented places, 
by  the  grassy  bor- 
ders of  rivers  and 
lakes.  According 
to  Audubon,  it  also 
breeds  around  the 
lagoons  of  the  Ohio,  and  on  the  great  North -Western  Lakes  of  th« 
interior.  On  the  river  St.  Peters,  in  the  45th  parallel,  Mr.  Say 
observed  them  on  ifhe  18th  of  Julv  no  doubt  in  the  same  place  where 
they  had  passed  the  rest  of  tne  summer.  At  Hudson's  Bay,  where 
they  arrive  about  the  end  of  May,  they  are  said  to  nest  close  to  the 
borders  of  lakes  and  lay  six  white  eggs.  The  young  are  at  first 
yellowish  and  begin  to  fly  in  July.  The  Hairy  Head,  as  this  speciea 
is  sometimes  called,  is  rarely  seen  but  in  fresh  waters  and  lakes, 
approaching  the  sea  only  in  winter,  when  its  favorite  haunts  are 
blocked  up  with  ice.  It  delights  in  the  woody  interior,  and  traces 
its  way  up  still  creeks,  and  sometimes  visits  the  mill  ponds,  per- 
petually  diving  for  small  fish  and  insects  in  the  manner  of  the  Ked- 
breasted  Merganser.  In  the  course  of  the  winter  they  migrate  as  far 
south  as  Mexico,  are  very  common  throughout  the  whole  winter  in 
the  Mississippi,  and  are  rendered  very  conspicuous  by  the  higb 
circular  and  parti-colored  crest  which  so  gracefully  crowns  the  top  of 
the  head. 


HOODED  KER6AHSEH. 


FISHES. 

APODAL   FISH. 


OF  THE  EEL  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  Apodal  Fish,  of  which  the  Eel  forms  the  first  Linnean  tribe, 

in  their  appearance  and 
manners,  approach,  in 
some  instances,  very 
nearly  to  the  serpents. 
They  have  a  smooth 
and  slippery  skin,  and 
are  in  general  naked, 
or  covered  only  with 
small,  soft,  and  distant 
scales.  Their  bodies 
are  long  and  slender, 
and  they  are  supposed 
to  live  entirely  on  ani- 
mal substances. 

There  are  about  nine  species,  most  of  which  are  found  only  in  the 
aeas.  One  of  these  frequents  our  fresh  waters,  and  three  others  occa- 
sionally visit  our  shores. 


THE   COMMON   EEL. 

The  Common  Eel  evidently  forms  a  connecting  link,  in  the  chain 

of  nature,  between  the  serpents  and 
the  fishea  It  possesses  not  only 
the  serpent  form,  but  also  many  of 
the  habits  of  serpents. 

The  Eel  is  frequently  known  to 
quit  its  own  element,  and  to  wander, 
in  the  evening  or  night,  over  mead- 
ows, in  search  of  snails  and  other 
prey,  or  to  other  ponds  for  change 
of  habitation.  This  will  account  for  Eels  being  found  in  waters  that 
have  not  been  suspected  to  contain  them. 

The  usual  haunts  of  Eels  are  in  mud,  among  weeds,  tinder  the 
roots  or  stumps  of  trees  or  in  holes  in  the  banks  or  the  bottom  of 
They  are  partial  to  still  waters,  and  particularly  to  such  M 

411 


COMMON  EKL. 


412  THE   CONGER    EEL. 

are  muddy  at  the  bottom.  Here  they  often  grow  to  an  enormous 
size,  sometimes  weighing  fifteen  or  sixteen  pounds. 

When  kept  in  ponds,  these  fish  had  been  known  to  destroy  youn« 
ducks.  Eels  seldom  come  out  of  their  hiding-places  except  in  the 
night,  during  which  time  they  are  caught  with  lines  that  have  several 
baited  hooks.  In  winter  they  bury  themselves  deep  in  the  mud,  and, 
like  the  serpent  tribe,  remain  in  a  state  of  torpor.  They  are  so  impa- 
tient of  cold,  as  eagerly  to  take  shelter  even  in  a  wisp  of  straw,  if 
flung  into  a  pond  in  severe  weather;  and  this  has  sometimes  been 
practised  as  a  mode  of  catching  them. 

Eels  are  viviparous,  or  produce  living  offspring.  They  are  so 
tenacious  of  life,  that  their  parts  will  continue  to  move  for  a  con- 
siderable time  after  they  are  skinned  and  cut  into  p'eces:  and  no 
other  fish  whatever  will  live  so  long  out  of  water  as  these.  They 
are  best  in  season  from  May  to  July;  but  they  may  be  caught  with  a 
line  till  September.  When  the  water  is  thick  with  rains,  they  may 
be  fished  for  during  the  whole  day;  but  the  largest  and  best  are 
caught  by  night-lines. 


THE   COXGER   EEL. 

When  at  its  full  size,  the  Conger  Eel  has  sometimes  been  known 
to   measure 
more  than  tea 
feet  in   length, 
and  from  four- 
teen to  sixteen 
inches    in    cir- 
cumference. It 
is   one   of  the 
most  danger- 
ous  and    most 
powerful    ene- 
rn  i  e  s     with 
which  the  fish- 
ermen of  the  British  Islands  have  to  contend.     Being  usnnllv  oanirht 
by  a  hook  and  line,  it  requires  some  care  to  land  and  kill  the  large 
ones  without  injury.     We  are  informed,  that  on  such  occasions  they 
havo  been  known  to  entwine  themselves  round  the  legs  of  a  fisher- 
man,  and   to  fight   with  the  utmost   fury.     A  Conger,  six  feet  in 
length,  was  caught  in  the  Wash  at  Yarmouth,  in  April,  1808;  but 
not  until  after  a  severe  contest  with  the  man  who  had  seized  it.     The 
animal   is   stated   to   have  risen  half  erect,  and   to   have   actually 
knocked  the  fisherman  down  before  he  could  secure  it.     This  Conger 
weighed  only  about  sixty  pounds;  but  some  of  the  largest  exceed 
even  a  hundred  weight. 

The  voracity  of  these  fish  is  enormously  great.  They  often  lie 
concealed,  in  the  mud  or  sand,  at  the  mouths  of  large  rivers,  for  the 
purpose  of  seizing  upon  any  prey  which  passes  either  in  or  out.  If 


OF   THE   GYMNOTUS   TRIBE. — ELECTRICAL   EEL.  41'j 

this  happen  to  be  so  large  as  not  otherwise  to  be  immediately  over- 
come, we  are  told  that 
the  Conger  will  coil  its 
body  round,  and  thus 
prevent  its  escape ; 
whilst  in  the  mean  time, 
it  kills  it  by  means  of 
its  teeth.  It  devours 
great  quantities  of  the 
dilVerent  species  of  Cu;- 

l!e-fish,  and   other  soft   marine   animals,  which  have  not   sufficient 

agility  or  address  to  escape  from  its  pursuit. 

Until  the  Congers  are  grown  to  a  size  so  large  that  they  are  able 

stoutly  to  defend  themselves,  they  are  liable  to  attack  from  numerous 

foes.     The  Wolf-fish,  all  the  larger  species  of  Kays,  and  even  the  sea 

Craw- fish,  arid  Lobsters,  destroy  them  in  vast  numbers. 

During  the  winter  months,  it  is  said  that  these  fish  conceal  them- 

telves  deep  in  the  mud;  and  that,  so  long  as  the  cold  weather  lasts, 

they  seldom  come  forth  from  their  retreats. 


OF  THE  GYMNOTUS  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

SOME  of  the  species  of  Gymnotus  inhabit  the  fresh  waters,  and 
others  live  in  the  ocean.  They  are  all,  except  three,  confined  to 
America. 


THE   ELECTBICAL   GYMXOTUS,   OB   EEL. 

These  fishes  possess  the  singular  property  of  giving  a  shock,  (similar 

in  its  effects  to  that  produced 
from  a  charged  jar,)  fo  any 
body,  or  any  number  of  bodies 
connected  together. 

On  touching  an  Electrical 
Eel  with  one  hand,  a  sensation 
is  experienced  similar  to  that 
arising  from  touching  the 
conductor  of  an  electrical 
machine:  with  a  short  iron 
rod  the  same  was  felt,  but  less 
powerfully.  While  another  person  provoked  the  fish,  Dr.  Williamson 
put  his  hand  into  the  water  at  the  distance  of  three  feet  from  it,  and 
felt  an  unpleasant  sensation  in  the  joints  of  his  fingers.  Some  small 
fish  were  thrown  into  the  water,  and  the  animal  immediately  stunned 
and  swallowed  them.  A  larger  fish  was  thrown  in,  which  he  stunned 
likewise  and  attempted  to  swallow;  but,  from  its  size,  he  could  not  do 
§o  Dr.  Williamson  put  his  hand  into  the  water,  and  had  another 


4U 


THE   ELECTRICAL   EEL.  415 

fish  thrown  in  at  some  distance.  The  Eel  swam  up  to  it,  and  at  first 
turned  away  without  offering  it  any  violence :  after  a  little  time  he 
returned,  and,  looking  steadfastly  at  it  for  a  few  seconds,  gave  it  a 
shock,  by  which  it  instantly  turned  upon  its  back,  and  became 
motionless.  Dr.  Williamson  at  that  very  instant  felt  the  same  sen- 
sation in  his  fingers,  as  he  had  done  when  he  put  his  hand  into  the 
water  before.  A  fish  was  afterwards  struck,  but  not  quite  killed. 
When  the  Electrical  Eel  perceived  this,  he  returned,  and  at  a  second 
shock,  evidently  more  severe  than  the  former,  rendered  it  motionless. 
On  touching  the  Eel  with  one  hand  so  as  to  provoke  it,  and  holding 
ihe  other  in  the  water  at  a  little  distance,  a  severe  shock  was  felt 
through  both  the  arms  and  across  the  breast,  similar  to  that  from  a 
charged  jar.  Eight  or  ten  persons,  with  their  hands  joined,  experienced 
the  same,  on  the  first  touching  the  head,  and  the  last  the  tail  of  the 
fish.  A  dog  being  made  a  link  in  this  chain,  uttered  a  loud  yell  at 
the  instant  of  contact.  When  the  Eel  was  touched  with  silk,  glass, 
or  any  other  non-conductor,  no  shock  was  felt.  From  a  long  series 
of  experiments,  it  appeared  to  Dr.  Williamson  that  these  properties 
partook  so  nearly  of  the  nature  of  electricity,  that  whatever  would 
convey  the  electrical  fluid,  would  also  convey  the  fluid  discharged  by 
the  Eel ;  and  vice  versa.  lie,  however,  was  not  able  to  observe  that 
any  spark  was  produced  on  contact.  This  mode  of  defence  the  fish 
never  adopted  except  it  was  irritated ;  and  Dr.  Williamson  has  passed 
his  hand  along  the  back  and  sides  from  head  to  tail,  and  has  even 
lifted  part  of  its  body  out  of  the  water,  without  exciting  it  to  injure 
him. 

Mr.  Bryant  mentions  an  instance  of  the  shock  from  one  of  these  fish 
being  felt  through  a  considerable  thickness  of  wood.  One  morning, 
while  he  was  standing  by,  as  a  servant  was  emptying  a  tub,  in  which 
an  Electrical  Eel  was  contained,  he  had  lifted  it  entirely  from  the 
ground,  and  was  pouring  oft*  the  water  to  renew  it,  when  he  received 
a  shock  so  violent  as  occasioned  him  to  let  the  tub  fall.  Mr.  B.  then 
called  another  person  to  his  assistance,  and  caused  them  together  to 
lift  up  the  tub,  each  laying  hold  only  on  the  outside.  When  they 
were  pouring  off  the  remainder  of  the  water,  they  each  received  a 
shock  so  smart,  that  they  were  compelled  to  desist. 

Persons  have  been  knocked  down  with  the  stroke.  One  of  these  fish 
having  been  shaken  from  a  net  upon  the  grass,  an  English  sailor, 
notwithstanding  all  the  persuasions  that  were  used  to  prevent  him, 
would  insist  on  taking  it  up;  but  the  moment  he  grasped  it,  he 
dropped  down  in  a  fit;  his  eyes  were  fixed;  his  face  became  livid; 
and  it  was  not  without  difficulty  that  his  senses  were  restored.  He 
said,  that  the  instant  he  touched  it,  "  the  cold  ran  swiftly  up  his  arm 
into  his  body,  and  pierced  him  to  the  heart." 

This  property  seems  principally  of  use  to  the  Electrical  Eels  in 
securing  their  food;  for  being  destitute  of  teeth,  they  would  otherwise 
be  scarcely  able  to  seize  it.  The  force  of  the  shock  has  been  satisfac- 
torily proved  to  depend  entirely  on  the  will,  and  to  be  exerted  as  cir- 
cumstances require.  The  prey  of  these  fish  are  generally  so  stunned 
by  the  shock,  as  to  appear  dead ;  but  when  these  have  been  taken 


416  THE   BROAD-FINNED    SWORD-FISH. 

into  another  vessel,  they  have  been  always  found  .to  recover.  When 
the  Electrical  Eels  are  hungry,  they  are  tolerably  keen  in  pursuit  of 
their  food  ;  but  they  are  soon  satisfied,  not  being  able  to  devour  much 
at  one  time.  An  Electrical  Eel,  upwards  of  three  feet  in  length,  could 
not  swallow  a  fish  more  then  three,  or  at  most  three  inches  and  a  half 
long. 

The  organs  which  produce  this  wonderful  accumulation  of  electric 
matter,  constitute  nearly  one-half  of  that  part  of  the  flesh  in  which 
they  are  placed,  and,  perhaps,  compose  more  than  one-third  of  the 
whole  animal.  There  are  two  pairs  of  these  organs,  one  on  each  side. 
Their  structure  is  very  simple  and  regular,  consisting  only  of  flat  par- 
titions, with  cross  divisions  between  them.  The  partitions  are  thin 
membranes  placed  nearly  parallel  to  one  another,  and  of  different 
lengths  and  breadths. 


OF  THE   SWORD-FISHES  IN  GENERAL. 

THESE  are  very  large  and  powerful  animals,  often  growing  to  the 
length  of  twenty  feet  and  upwards.  Their  voracity  is  unbounded,  for 
they  attack  and  destroy  almost  every  living  thing  that  comes  in  their 
way.  The  larger  fish  they  penetrate  with  their  long,  hard,  and  sword- 
shaped  upper  jaw.  There  are  two  species,  one  only  of  which  is  found 
in  the  European  seas. 


THE   BROAD-FINNED,  AND  THE   EUROPEAN  SWORD-FISH. 

The  former  of  these  inhabit  the  Brazilian  and  East  Indian  Seas,  and 

also  the  Northern  Ocean. 
They  frequently  grow  to 
the  length  of  twenty  feet 
or  upwards,  and  are  very 
powerful  fish. 

When  his  majesty's  ship 
Leopard,  after  her  return 
from  the  coast  of  Guinea 

BROAD-FISHED  SWORD-FISH.  ,        .  ---.  T       .. 

and  the  West  Indies,   was 

ordered,  in  1725,  to  be  cleaned  and  refitted  for  the  Channel  service, 
in  stripping  off  her  sheathing  the  shipwrights  found  in  her  bottom, 
pointing  in  a  direction  from  the  stern  towards  the  head,  part  of  the 
eword  or  snout  of  one  of  these  fishes.  On  the  outside,  this  was 
rough,  not  unlike  seal-skin,  and  the  end,  where  it  was  broken  off, 
appeared  like  a  coarse  kind  of  ivory.  The  fish,  from  the  direction 
in  which  the  sword  lay,  is  supposed  to  have  followed  the  ship  when 
under  sail.  The  weapon  had  penetrated  through  the  sheathing 
which  was  an  inch  thick  ;  and  passed  through  three  inches  of  plank, 
and  beyond  that,  four  inches  and  a  half  into  the  timber.  The  force 
requisite  to  effect  this  must  have  been  excessively  great,  especially  so* 
ho  shock  was  felt  by  the  persons  on  board.  The  workmen  declared 


THE   EUROPEAN  SWORD-FISH. 


417 


that  it  would  be  impossible,  with  a  hammer  of  a  quarter  of  c  hundred 
weight,  to  drive  an 
iron  pin  of  the  same 
form  and  size  into 
that  wood,  and  to 
the  same  depth,  by 
less  than  eight  or 
nine  strokes,  whilst 
this  had  been  effected 
bf  only  one. 
And  about  sixteen 


years   ago,    a 


letter 


BWOBD  OP  8WORI>-FI8H,  PIERCING  TIMBER. 


was  written  to  Sir 
Joseph  Banks,  as 
piesident  of  the 
Royal  Society,  from 
the  captain  of  an 
East  Indiaman,  and 
was  accompanied  by 
an  account  of  an- 
other instance  of  the  amazing  strength  which  this  fish  occasionally 
exerts.  The  bottom  of  this  ship  had  been  pierced  through  in  such  a 
manner,  that  the  sword  was  completely  imbedded,  or  driven  through 
its  whole  length,  and  the  fish  killed  by  the  violence  of  the  effort. 

The  Sword-fishes  and  the  Whale  are  said  never  to  meet  without 
coming  to  battle;  and  the  former  has  the  reputation  of  being  always 
the  aggressor.  Sometimes  two  Sword-fishes  join  against  one  Whale  ; 
in  which  case  the  combat  is  by  no  means  equal.  The  Whale  uses 
his  tail  only  in  his  defence :  he  dives  down  into  the  water,  head  fore- 
most, and  makes  such  a  blow  with  his  tail,  that,  if  it  take  effect, 
finishes  the  Sword-fish  at  a  stroke  :  but  the  other,  which  in  general  is 
sufficiently  adroit  to  avoid  it,  immediately  falls  upon  the  Whale,  and 
buries  his  weapon  in  his  sides.  When  the  Whale  discovers  the 
Sword-fish  darting  upon  him,  he  dives  to  the  bottom,  but  is  closely 
pursued  by  his  antagonist,  who  compels  him  again  to  rise  to  the 
surface.  The  battle  then  begins  afresh,  and  lasts  until  the  Sword  fish 
loses  sight  of  the  Whale,  who  is  at  length  compelled  to  swim  off, 
which  his  superior  agility  enables  him  to  do.  In  the  Sword-fish 
piercing  the  Whale's  body  with  the  tremendous  weapon  at  his  snout, 
he  seldom  does  any  great  damage 
to  the  animal,  from  not  being 
able  to  penetrate  much  beyond 
the  blubber. 

The  European  Sword-fish  has 
8omet:~ies  been  iound  on  che 
British  coasts;  and  is  very  com- 
mon in  the  Mediterranean. 


JUGULAR  FISH. 


OF  THE  COD  TRIBE  IN  GENERAL. 

Tins  is  a  numerous  tribe,  the  animals  of  which  inhabit  only  th«5 
depths  of  the  ocean,  and  seldom  visit  the  fresh  waters.  They  are  in 
general  gregarious,  and  feed  on  the  smaller  fish  and  other  marine 
animals.  The  flesh  of  most  of  them  is  white,  firm,  and  good  eating. 


THE   COMMON   COD. 

These  fish  are  on  y  found  in  the  seas  of  the  northern  parts  of  the 

world ;  and  the  great  rendezvous 
for  them  are  the  sand-banks  of 
Newfoundland,  Nova  Scotia,  and 
New  England.  These  shallows  are 
their  favorite  situations;  for  here 

tneJ  are  able  to  obtail}  Sreat 
quantities  of  worms,  a  food  that  is 

peculiarly  grateful  to  them.  Another  cause  of  their  attachment  t3 
these  places  is  their  vicinity  to  the  polar  seas  where  they  return  to 
spawn.  There  they  deposit  their  roes  in  full  security,  and  afterwards 
repair,  as  soon  as  the  first  more  southern  seas  are  open,  to  the  banks 
for  subsistence.  Few  are  taken  north  of  Iceland,  and  the  shoals  never 
reach  so  far  south  as  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar. 

The  vessels  frequenting  these  fisheries,  are  from  a  hundred  to  two 
hundred  tons  burthen,  and  will  catch  thirty  thousand  Cod  or  upwards 
each.  The  hook  and  the  line  are  the  only  implements  employed  in 
taking  the  fish ;  and  this  in  a  depth  of  water  from  sixteen  to  sixty 
fathoms.  The  great  bank  of  Newfoundland,  is  represented  to  be  like 
a  vast  mountain,  above  five  hundred  miles  long,  and  nearly  three 
h'indred  broad;  and  the  number  of  British  seamen  employed  upon 
it,  is  supposed  to  he  about  fifteen  thousand. 

The  best  season  for  fishing,  is  from  the  beginning  of  February,  to 
the  end  of  April ;  and  though  each  man  takes  no  more  than  one  fish  at 
a  time,  an  expert  fisherman  will  sometimes  catch  four  hundred  in  a 
day.  The  employment  is  excessively  fatiguing,  from  the  weight  of 
the  fish,  and  the  great  coldness  of  the  climate. 

As  soon  as  the  Cod  are  caught,  their  heads  are  cut  off:  they  are 
opened,  gutted,  and  salted  :  they  are  then  stowed  in  the  held  of  the 
vessel,  in  buds  five  or  six  yards  square,  head  to  tail,  with  a  layer  of 
salt  to  each  layer  of  fish.  When  they  have  lain  here  three  or  four 
days  to  drain  off  the  water,  they  are  shifted  into  a  different  part  of 
the  vessel,  and  again  salted.  Here  they  remain  till  the  vessel  ii 
418 


THE   HADDOCK — WHITING.  419 

loaded.     Sometimes  they  are  cut  into  thick  pieces,  and  packed  in 
barrels,  for  the  greater  convenience  of  carriage. 

In  the  Newfoundland  fishery,  the  sounds,  or  air-bladders,  are  taken 
out  previously  to  incipient  putrefaction,  are  washed  from  their  slime 
and  "salted  for  exportation.  The  tongues  are  also  cured,  and  brought 
in  barrels  containing  four  or  five  hundred  pounds  weight  each.  From 
the  livers  a  great  quantity  of  oil  is  extracted. 

Cod   feed  principally  on   the  smaller  species  of  fish,  on   worms 
shell-fish,  and  crabs:  and  their  digestion  is  sufficiently  powerful  tc. 
dissolve  the  greatest  part  even  of  the  shells  which  they  swallow. 

They  are  so  extremely  prolific,  that  Leuwenhoek  counted  more 
than  nine  millions  of  eggs  in  the  roe  of  a  middling-sized  Cod-fish. 
The  production  of  so  great  a  number  will  surely  baffle  all  the  efforts 
of  man,  or  the  voracity  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  ocean,  to  diminish 
the  species  so  greatly,  as  to  prevent  its  affording  an  inexhaustible 
supply  of  grateful  provision  in  all  ages. 


THE   HADDOCK. 

Haddocks  migrate  in  immense  shoals,  which  usually  arrive  on  the 
Yorkshire  coasts  about  the 
middle  of  winter.  These 
shoals  are  sometimes  known 
to  extend,  from  the  shore, 
nearly  three  miles  in  breadth, 
and  in  length  from  Flam-  j 
borough  Head  to  Tin  mouth 
Castle,  fifty  miles,  and  per- 
haps even  much  further. 
An  idea  of  the  number  of 
Haddocks  may  be  formed 

from  the  following  circumstance :  three  fishermen,  within  a  mile  of 
the  harbor  of  Scarborough,  frequently  loaded  their  boat  with  these 
fish  twice  a  day,  taking  each  time  about  a  ton  weight  of  them.  The 
large  Haddocks  quit  the  coast  as  soon  as  they  are  out  of  season,  and 
leave  behind  them  great  abundance  of  small  ones.  The  former  are 
supposed  to  visit  the  coasts  of  Hamburgh  and  Jutland  during  the 
summer. 


THE  WHITING.  » 

It  is  principally  near  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  that  the  Whiting 
resides.  Here  it  feeds  on  various  species  of  Crabs  and  Lobsters,  on 
molluscae,  and  young  fish.  In  its  stomach  there  are  often  found  both 
Sprats  and  young  Herrings.  With  these  the  fishermen  frequently 
bait  their  hooks  for  the  catching  of  Whitings:  they  also  occasionallj 
bait  with  marine  Worms  and  Muscles. 

Whitings  are  generally  caught  off  certain  parts  of  the  French 
27 


420  THE   LING    AND   HAKE. 

coast,  in  the  months  of  January  and  February ;  bu:,  in  Holland  and 

England,  durir.g  the  summer 
season.  They  sometimes  ap- 
proach the  English  coasts  in  such 
numbers,  that  their  shoals  have 
been  known -occasionally  to  ex- 
tend three  or  four  miles  in  length, 
and  upwards  of  a  mile  in  breadth. 
They  are  sometimes  caught  by 
means  of  nets,  but  lines  are  gene- 
rally preferred.  Where  a  fishery  is  well  conducted,  these  lines  are  of 
immense  length,  and  furnished  with  as  many  as  from  a  hundred  and 
fifty  to  two  hundred  hooks.  One  vessel  will  put  out  twentv  of  these 
lines,  having  in  the  whole  nearly  four  thousand  hooks.  Whitings 
pursue  the  shoals  of  llerrings  with  great  eagerness;  they  are,  conse 
quently,  often  caught  in  the  Herring-nets. 


After  the  Herring,  the  Pilchard,  and  the  Cod,  the  Ling  may,  in 

a  commercial  view,  be 
considered  as  the  most 
important  of  all  fish. 
Nine  hundred  thousand 
pounds  weight  of  Ling 
are  annually  exported 
from  Norway.  In  En- 
gland these  fish  are 
caught  and  cured  in 
somewhat  the  same  manner  as  Cod.  Those  which  are  caught  off  the 
shores  of  America,  are  by  no  means  so  much  esteemed  as  those  which 
frequent  the  coasts  of  Great  Britain  and  Norway. 

They  are  in  season  from  February  till  about  the  end  of  May. 
During  this  time  the  liver  is  white,  and  yields  a  great  quantity  of 
fine  and  well-flavored  oil.  A  kind  of  isinglass  is  made  from  the  air- 
bladders.  The  tongues  are  eaten  either  fresh,  dried,  or  salted. 

Hake  are  found  in  the  Mediterranean,  in  the  British  Channel,  and 
in  the  North  Sea.  On  some  of  the  shores  of  Ireland,  particularly 
those  of  Galway  and  Waterford,  they  are  very  abundant.  They  aro 
also  caught  in  vast  quantities  near  Penzance  in  Cornwall,  and  on 
some  parts  of  the  coast  of  Devonshire. 

There  are  few  animals  more  voracious  than  these.  They  pursue. 
with  great  eagerness,  the  shoals  of  Herrings  and  Mackerel ;  and,  when 
other  prey  is  not  easily  had,  they  attack  and  devour  even  their  own 
species.  The  Burbot  is  of  the  same  family.  It  weighs  about  two  pounds 
on  an  average,  and  its  flesh  is  excellent ;  the  largest  specimens  run  to 
seven  or  eight  pounds  weight.  It  is  fond  of  lurking  in  holes,  or  under 
large  stones  where  it  watches  for  its  prey.  Its  general  colour  is  yellowish 
brown,  marbled  with  a  darker  tint,  and  its  surface  is  slimy.  It  lias  been 


THE  COMMON  REMORA,  OR  SUCKING-FISH.        421 

introduced  into  the  Lake  of  Geneva  and  might  be  placed  advantageouslv 
for  culture  in  many  other  waters.  To  this  family  also  belong  the  Bib 
and  Pout,  the  Poor,  the  Coal  Fish  and  the  Pollock. 

THORACIC  FISH. 


OF  THE  SUCKING-FISH  TRIBE. 

THE  Sucking-fishes  have  a  naked,  flat,  and  oily  head,  surrounded  by 
a  narrow  margin,  and  marked  with  several  transverse  streaks  or 
grooves.  They  have  also  ten  rays  in  their  gill-membrane;  and  their 
body  is  destitute  of  scales. 

There  are  only  three  known  species ;  these  are  occasionally  seen  in 
the  Mediterranean  Sea,  and  the  Pacific  Ocean. 


THE  COMMON  RBMORA,  OR   SUCKING-FISH. 

From  the  time  of  Aristotle  to  the  present  day,  this  fish  has  been  an 
object  of  constant  attention 
and  surprise.  The  ancient 
naturalists,  not  satisfied  with 
imputing  to  it  wonderful 
qualities,  and  very  extraor- 
dinary powers,  proceeded 

so  far  as  even  to  regard  its  wmm  BHIOIlAa 

properties  among  what  they 

denominated  the  occult  qualities  of  nature.  The  Remora,  in  almost 
all  ages,  has  ranked  high  in  the  writings  of  poets,  in  the  comparisons 
of  orators,  the  narrations  of  travellers,  and  the  descriptior.%  of  natu- 
ralists. 

The  ancients  absurdly  believed  that,  small  as  it  is,  this  fish  had  the 
power  of  arresting  the  progress  of  a  ship  in  its  fastest  sailing,  by 
adhering  to  its  bottom. 

It  inhabits  most  parts  of  the  ocean,  and  is  often  found  so  strongly 
adhering  to  the  sides  of  Sharks  and  other  fish,  by  means  of  the  process 
on  the  upper  p  irt  of  its  head,  as  not  to  be  separated  without  great 
difficulty.  Five  of  these  fish  have  been  taken  off  the  body  of  a  single 
Shark.  St.  Pierre  says,  he  has  put  some  of  them  on  an  even  surface 
of  glass,  from  which  he  could  not  afterwards  remove  them. 

The  Indians  of  Jamaica  and  Cuba  formerly  used  the  Sucking-fish  in 
the  catching  of  others,  somewhat  in  the  same  manner  as  Hawks  are 
employed  by  a  falconer  in  seizing  birds.  They  kept  them  for  the 
purpose,  and  had  them  regularly  fed.  The  owner,  on  a  calm  morning, 
would  carry  one  of  them  out  to  sea,  secured  to  his  canoe,  by  a  slender 
but  strong  line,  many  fathoms  in  length ;  and  the  moment  the  creature 
eavv  a  fish  in  the  water,  though  at  a  great  distance,  it  would  dart  away 
with  the  swiftness  of  an  arrow,  and  soon  fasten  upon  it.  The  Indian 


422  THE   COMMON,   OR   JOHN  DOREE. 

in  the  mean  time,  loosened  and  let  go  the  line,  which  was  furnished 
with  a  buoy  that  floated  on  the  surface  of  the  ocean,  and  marked  the 
course  the  Sucking-fish  had  taken ;  and  he  pursued  it  in  his  canoe, 
until  he  perceived  his  game  to  be  nearly  exhausted.  He,  then,  taking 
up  the  buoy,  gradually  drew  the  line  towards  the  shore ;  the  Sucking- 
fish  still  adhering  with  so  inflexible  a  tenacity  to  his  prey  as  not  easily 
*o  be  removed. 

OF  THE  DOREE  TRIBE. 

NONE  of  the  fishes  of  the  present  tribe  were  known  to  the  ancient 
naturalists,  except  the  Common  Doree.  There  are  about  eight 
species,  some  of  which  are  found  in  the  European,  and  others  in  the 
American  seas.  One  of  them,  which  inhabits  the  fresh  waters  of 
India,  swims  near  the  surface,  like  the  beaked  Cha3todon,  and  catches 
aquatic  insects,  by  jetting  water  upon  them  from  its  mouth.  The 
wings  of  the  insects  are  by  this  means  wetted,  and  they  become  an 
easy  prey. 

THE   COMMON,    OR   JOHN   DOREE. 

The  ancients  were  well  acquainted  with  the  John  Doree:   it  is 

expressly  mentioned  in  the 
writings  both  of  Ovid  and 
Pliny.  This  fish,  and  not 
the  Haddock,  is,  by  many 
persons,  supposed  to  have 
been  the  same  out  of  the 
mouth  of  which  the  apostle 
Peter,  at  the  command  of 
our  Saviour,  took  the  tri- 
bute-money. The  indication 
of  this  is  stated  to  be  a  dark 
spot,  somewhat  like  a  finger 
mark,  on  each  side  of  the 
head. 

The  Doree  is  a  very  voracious  animal :  it  feeds  on  various  species 
of  small  fish,  which  it  pursues  with  great  rapidity.  It  will  seize, 
and  almost  without  discrimination,  all  kinds  of  baits.  The  auda- 
ciousness of  the  Doree  ought  not  to  surprise  us,  when  we  consider 
that,  independently  of  the  enormous  dimensions  of  its  mouthr  and  the 
number  and  strength  of  its  teeth,  it  has  a  longitudinal  range  of  strong 
spines,  not  only  on  each  side  of  the  dorsal  fins,  but  likewise  from  the 
mouth  all  the  way  to  the  second  anal  fin.  These  tend  to  protect  it 
from  injury  by  its  enemies  of  the  deep. 

When  the  Doree  is  taken  alive  out  of  the  Water,  it  is  able  to 
compress  its  internal  organs  so  rapidly,  that  the  air,  in  rushing  through 
the  openings  of  the  gills,  produces  a  kind  of  noise  somewhat  like  that 
which,  on  similar  occasions,  is  emitted  by  the  Gurnards. 

The  Doree  is  found  in  the  North  Sea,  in  the  British  Channel,  the 


THE   TURBOT    AND   HOLIBUT.  423 

Mediterranean,  and  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  As  its  form  indicates  the 
Doree  is  by  no  means  rapid  in  its  movements;  it  wanders  leisurely 
through  the  deep  waters,  often  drifting  with  the  current,  though  it  car., 
douUless,  exert  itself  vigorously  enough  when  prompted  by  its  appetite. 
It  is  skid  to  follow  the  shoals  of  Pilchards  on  which  it  preys ;  it  also  de- 
vours small  Cuttle-fish.  It  is  taken  principally  in  Autumn  and  Winter. 

OF  THE  FLAT-FISH  IN  GENEEAL. 

THE  present  tribe  comprehends  those  fish  that  are  usually  denomi- 
nated ELVfish;  such  as  the  Turbot,  Plaise,  Flounder,  Sole,  &c. 
These  are  generally  confined  to  the  muddy  or  sandy  banks  of  the 
eea,  where  they  have  the  power  of  burying  themselves,  as  far  as  the 
head,  for  Jhe  purpose  of  escaping  the  devastations,  of  the  more 
rapacious  tubes.  They  seldom  rise  far  from  the  bottom,  since,  from 
the  want  of  an  air-bladder  to  buoy  them  up,  which  most  of  the  other 
fishes  posses,  they  are  compelled  to  use  their  pectoral  fins  for  this 
purpose,  in  aomewhat  the  same  manner  as  birds  use  their  wings  to 
rise  in  the  air ;  and  this  is  not  done  without  considerable  exertion. 
Here,  therefoie,  they  generally  swim,  with  their  bodies  in  an  oblique 
position,  and  feed  on  such  aquatic  animals  as  come  in  their  way. 

Many  of  them  as  the  Holibut,  Turbot,  and  some  others,  grow  to  a 
large  size.  The  eyes  of  the  whole  tribe  are  situated  on  one  side  of 
the  head.  It  is  a  curious  circumstance,  that,  while  the  under  parts  of 
their  body  are  of  a  brilliant  white,  the  upper  parts  are  so  colored  and 
speckled,  as,  when  they  were  half  immersed,  in  the  sand  or  mud,  to 
render  them  almost  imperceptible.  Of  this  resemblance  they  are  so 
conscious,  that  whenever  they  find  themselves  in  danger,  they  sink 
into  the  mud,  and  there  continue  motionless.  This  is  a  circumstance  so 
well  known  to  fishermen,  that  within  their  palings  on  the  strand  they  are 
often  under  the  necessity,  of  tracing  furrows  with  a  kind  of  iron  sickle 
in  order  to  direct  by  the  touch,  what  they  are  not  otherwise  able  to 
distinguish.  Not  being  rapacious,  nor  furnished  with  any  weapons 
of  defence,  these  fishes  owe  their  security  to  this  stratagem  ;  while  the 
Thornback  and  Rays,  which  are  carnivorous,  and  armed  with  strong 
spines,  although  Flat-fish  of  a  different  class,  are  marbled  with  lighter 
colors,  that  they  may  be  perceived  and  avoided  by  less  powerful  fish. 


THE    TURBOT,   AND    HOLIBUT. 

The  northern  parts  of  the  English  coast,  and  some  places  off  the 
coast  of  Holland,  afford  Turbots  in  greater  abundance,  and  in  greater 
excellence,  than  any  other  parts  of  the  world.  Lying  here,  however, 
in  deep  waters,  they  are  seldom  to  be  caught  but  by  lines. 

In  fishing  for  Turbot  off  the  Yorkshire  coast,  three  men  go  out  in 
each  of  the  boats,  each  man  furnished  with  three  lines,  and  every  line 
having  two  hundred  and  eighty  hooks,  placed  exactly  six  feet  two 
inches  asunder.  These  are  coiled  on  an  oblong  piece  of  wicker-work, 
with  the  hooks  baited  and  placed  very  regularly  in  the  centre  of  the 


424  THE   TUBBOT,   AND   HOLIBUT. 

doil.    When  they  are  used,  the  nine  lines  are  generally  fastened 

together,  so  as  to  form  one  line,  with 
above  two  thousand  hooks,  and  ex- 
tending nearly  three  miles  in  length. 
This  is  always  laid  across  the  current ; 
and  an  anchor  and  buoy  are  fixed  at 
the  end  of  each  man's  line.  The  tides 
run  here  so  rapidly,  that  the  fishermen 
can  only  shoot  and  haul  their  lines 
during  the  still  water  at  the  turn  of 
the  tide ;  and  therefore,  as  it  is  flood 
and  ebb  about  every  alternate  six  hours,  this  is  the  longest  time  the  linea 
remain  on  the  ground.  When  the  lines  are  laid,  two  of  the  men  can 
usually  wrap  themselves  in  the  sail  and  sleep,  whilst  the  third  is  on 
watch,  to  prevent  their  being  run  down  by  ships,  and  to  observe  the 
weather. 

The  bait  that  the  Turbots  take  most  readily  is  a  fresh  Hen  ing,  cut 
into  proper-sized  pieces :  they  are  also  partial  to  the  smaller  Lampreys, 
pieces  of  Haddock,  Sand- worms,  Muscles,  and  Limpets;  and  when 
none  of  these  are  to  be  had,  the  fishermen  use  Bullock's  liver.  The 
hooks  are  two  inches  and  a  half  long  in  the  shank,  and  nearly  an 
inch  wide  between  the  shank  and  the  point.  These  are  fastened  to  the 
lines  upon  sneads  of  twisted  Horse-hair,  twenty-seven  inches  in  length. 
The  line  is  made  of  small  cording,  and  is  always  tanned  before  it  is  used. 
The  voracity  of  Turbot,  when  in  pursuit  of  prey,  is  often  such,  that 
it  carries  them  into  the  mouths  of  rivers,  or  the  entrance  of  ponds  in 
salt-marshes,  which  communicate  with  the  sea.  But  they  are  not 
contented  with  merely  employing  agility  and  strength  in  procuring 
their  food,  they  likewise  have  recourse  to  stratagem.  They  plunge 
themselves  into  the  mud  or  sand  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  and  cover 
their  whole  body,  except  their  eyes  and  mouth.  Thus  concealed,  they 
seize  upon  and  devour  all  the  smaller  kinds  of  fish  which  incautiously 
approach  them.  It  is  said  that  they  are  very  particular  in  the  choice 
of  their  food,  invariably  refusing  all  except  living  animals,  or  such  as 
are  not  in  the  least  degree  putrid.  And  the  fishermen  assert,  that 
they  are  never  to  be  caught  with  baits  which  have  been  bitten  by 
other  fish. 

In  many  parts  of  England,  Turbot  and  Holibut  are  sold  indiscrimi- 
nately for  each  other.  They  are,  however,  perfectly  distinct;  the 
upper  parts  of  the  former  being  marked  with  large,  unequal,  and 
obtuse  tubercles;  while  those  of  the  latter  are  quite  smooth,  and 
covered  with  oblong  soft  scales,  that  adhere  firmly  to  the  body.  The 
eyes  of  the  Turbot  also  are  on  the  left,  whilst  those  of  the  Holibut  are 
on  the  right  of  the  head. 

Holibuts  are  sometimes  caught  of  such  immense  size,  on  the  north- 
ern coasts  of  England,  as  to  weigh  from  two  to  three  hundred  pounds. 
Olafsen  speaks  of  having  seen  one  in  Iceland,  which  measured  five 
ells  in  length. 

The  Greenlanders  employ  the  membrane  of  the  stomach  of  the 
Holibut,  in  place  of  glass  for  their  windows. 


THE   TURBOT,   AND   IIOLIEUT. 


425 


The  Turbot  is  most  active  in  the  night  timo,  when  perhaps  its  enemies 
are  less  vigilant ;  and  in  the  day  time  it  lies  at  the  bottom  with  its  dark 
side  uppermost,  and  is  consequently  difficult  to  be  distinguished.  It  is 
said  that  when  apprehensive  of  danger  it  will  remain  perfectly  still. 


4-6  THE   BEAKED  CH.ETODON 


TOE    PLAISE   AND   FLOUNDER. 

The  general  habits  both  of  the  Plaise  and  Flounder,  resemble  those 
of  all  the  other  flat-fish.  These  fish  are 
each  found  in  great  abundance  in  most 
of  the  European  seas.  Flounders  often 
ascend  rivers,  and  occasionally  even  so 
far  as  to  be  beyond  the  immediate 
influence  of  the  tides. 


OF  THE  CHoETODON  TK1BE. 

IN  this  tribe,  although  the  species  are  very  numerous,  there  is  only 
one  of  which  I  have  met  with  any  account  in  the  least  degree  inter- 
esting. 

The  hqad  and  mouth  of  the  Chaetodons  are  small,  and  they  have 
the  power  of  pushing  out  and  retracting  the  lips,  so  as  to  make  a 
tubular  orifice.  The  teeth  are  mostly  bristle-shaped,  flexible,  move- 
able,  closely  set,  and  very  numerous.  The  gill-membrane  has  from 
three  to  six  rays.  The  body  is  scaly,  broad,  and  compressed  ;  and  the 
dorsal  and  anal  tins  arc  generally  terminated  with  prickles. 


THE   BEAKED   CH^ETODON. 

The  Beaked  Crsctodon  or  Shooting-fish  frequents  the  shores  and 
mouths  of  rivers  in 
India,  and  about 
I  he  Indian  islands. 
]t  is  somewhat 
more  than  six 
inches  in  length. 

This  fish  feeds 
principally  on  flies 
and  other  small 
winged  insects  that 
hover  about  the 
v/atcrs  it  inhabits ; 
and  the  mode  of 
taking  its  prey  is 
very  remarkable. 
When  it  sees  a  fly 
at  a  distance,  on 
any  of  the  plants  in 
the  shallow  water, 
it  approaches  very 


THE   BEAKED    CH^ETODON. 


427 


CH^TODOK. 


th 


slowly,  and  with  the  utmost  caution,  coming  as  much  as  possible  per- 
pendicularly under  the  object.     Then  putting  its  body  in  an  oblique 

direction,  with  the  mouth  and  eyes  near 
the  surface,  it  remains  for  a  moment  im- 
movable. Having  fixed  its  eyes  directly 
on  the  insect,  it  shoots  at  it  a  drop  of 
water  from  its  tubular  snout,  but  without 
showing  its  mouth  above  the  surface,  fron: 
whence  only  the  drop  seems  to  rise.  Thia 
is  done  with  so  much  dexterity,  that 
though  at  the  distance  of  four,  five,  or  six 
feet,  it  seldom  fails  to  bring  the  fly  into 
the  water.  With  the  closest  attention  the 
moath  could  never  be  discovered  above 

surtace,  although  the  fish  has  been  seen  to  eject  several  drops 
one  after  another,  without  leaving  the  place,  or  in  the  smallest 
apparent  degree  moving  its  body. 

This  very  singular  action  was  reported  to  M.  Hommel,  the  governor 
of  the  hospital  at  Batavia,  near  which  place  the  species  is  sometimes 
found  ;  and  it  so  far  excited  his  curiosity,  that  he  was  aetermined,  if 
possible,  to  convince  himself  of  its  truth,  by  ocular  demonstration. 

For  this  purpose,  he  ordered  a  large,  wide  tub  to  be  filled  with  sea- 
water  :  he  then  had  some  of  these  fish  caught  and  put  into  it ;  and  the 

water  was  changed 
every  other  day.  After 
a  while,  they  seemed 
reconciled  to  their  con- 
finement ;  and  he  tried 
the  experiment.  A 
slender  stick,  with  a 
fly  fastened  at  the  end, 
was  placed  in  such  a 
manner  on  the  side  of 
the  vessel,  as  to  enable 
the  fish  to  strike  it ; 
and  it  was  not  without 
inexpressible  delight, 
that  he  daily  saw  them 
exercising  their  skill 
in  shooting  at  it  with 
amazing  force  and 
seldom  missing  iheii 
mark. 

The  flesh  of  thii 
species  is  white  and 
well  tasted. 

The  Bat  Cb^etodon 
found  near  Ceylon  ia 
a  large  species  with 
very  broad  fins. 


BAT   CHiTODOH. 


428  THE   COMMON   PERCH. 


OF   THE   PERCH   TEIBE, 

OF  about  sixty  known  species  of  Perch,  the  ancients  were  acquainted 
only  with  three.  The  voracity  of  these  fishes  is  boundless.  They  are 
•also  endowed  with  strong  muscular  powers  of  action,  and  with  great 
activity  of  body.  When  seized  in  the  hand,  or  attacked  by  an  enemy, 
they  erect  the  spines  of  their  first  dorsal  fin,  and  strike  them  at  the 
intruder  with  such  force  and  address,  as  sometimes  to  cause  dreadful 
lacerations. 


THE    COMMON    PERCH. 

The  Common  Perch  are  gregarious ;  and,  contrary  to  the  nature  of 
nearly  all  fresh-water  fish  that 
swim  in  shoals,  they  are  so  vor- 
acious as  to  attack  and  devour 
even  their  own  species.  They 
grow  slowly,  and  are  seldom 
caught  of  extraordinary  size. 

Perch  are  found  in  clear, 
swift  rivers,  with  pebbly  or 
gravelly  bottoms,  and  in  those 
of  a  sandy  or  clayey  soil.  They 
seem  to  prefer  moderately  deep  water,  and  holes  by  the  sines  of,  or 
near  to  gentle  streams,  where  there  is  an  eddy;  the  hollows  under 
banks,  among  weeds,  and  roots  of  trees;  the  piles  of  bridges  or 
ditches,  and  back  streams  that  have  a  communication  with  some 
river.  They  also  thrive  sufficiently  well  in  ponds  that  are  fed  by  a 
brook  or  rivulet.  These  fish  are  very  tenacious  of  life.  They  hnva 
been  known  to  survive  a  journey  of  near  sixty  miles,  although 
packed  in  dry  straw. 

It  is  generally  believed  that  a  Pike  will  not  attack  a  full  grown 
Perch:  he  is  deterred  from  so  doing,  by  the  spiny  fins  of  its  back, 
which  this  fish  always  erects  at  the  approach  of  an  enemy.  The 
smaller  Perch,  however,  are  frequently  used  as  bait  for  Pike. 

The  season  of  angling  for  Perch,  is  from  April  to  January;  and 
the  time  from  sunrise  till  ten  o'clock,  arvl  from  two  o'clock  till  sunset: 
except  in  cloudy  weather,  with  a  ruffling  south  wind,  when  they  will 
bite  all  day.  The  bqits  are  various  kinds  of  worms,  a  minnow,  or 
grass  hopper.  So  voracious  are  these  fish,  that  it  is  said,  if  an  expert 
angler  find  a  shoal  of  them,  he  may  catch  every  one.  If,  however,  a 
single  fish  escape  that  has  felt  the  hook,  all  is  over;  this  fish  becomes 
so  restless,  as  soon  to  occasion  the  whole  shoal  to  leave  the  place. 

In  winter  the  Perch  is  exceedingly  abstemious,  and  during  that 
season  it  scarcely  ever  takes  a  bait,  except  in  the  middle  of  a  warm 
sunny  day.  In  clear  weather,  during  the  spring,  sometimes  a  dozen 
or  more  of  these  fish  may  be  observed  in  a  deep  hole,  sheltered  by 


COMMON  PBiCH. 


THE  COMMON  MACKEREL. 


429 


trees  and  bushes.     The  angler  may  toen  observe  them  striving  which 
shall  first  seize  his  bait,  till  the  whole  shoal  are  caught. 

In  one  of  the  pools  of  Merionethshire  there  is  a  singular  variety  of 
the  Perch,  the  back  of  which  is  hunched,  and  the  lower  part  of  thr 
buck-bone  next  the  tail  is  strangely  distorted.  The  common  kind  are 
as  numerous  in  this  pool  as  the  deformed  fish.  Some  of  the  crooked 
Perch  have  likewise  been  found  in  the  small  alpine  lakes  of  Sweden 


OF  THE  MACKEEEL  TRIBE. 


NEARLY  all  the  species  of  Mackerel  are  gregarious,  and  unite  in 

immense  shoals.  Some  of  them  are 
migratory,  making  long  voyages  at 
certain  seasons  of  the  year.  It  is 
believed  that  they  are  all  eatable:  and 
some  of  them  are  well  kno\vn  to  he 
exceedingly  delicate  food.  They  afford 

employment  and  support  to  numerous  fishermen  in  various  countries. 

There  are  in  the  whole  about  twenty-five  species. 


THE    COMMON"   MACKEREL. 

From  the  elegance  of  its  shape,  and  the  brilliancy  of  its  colors  the 


COMMON   MACKEREU 


Mackerel,  when  alive,  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  fish  that  frequents 
our  coasts.  Death,  in  some  measure,  impairs  the  colors,  but  it  by  no 
means  obliterates  them. 

Mackerel  visit  our  shores  in  vast  shoals ;  but,  from  being  very  tender 
arid  unfit  for  long  carriage,  they  are  found  less  useful  than  other 
gregarious  fish.  In  some  places  they  are  caught  by  lines  from  boats; 
for  during  a  fresh  gale  of  wind  they  readily  seize  a  bait.  The  usual 
bait  is  a  bit  of  red  cloth  or  a  piece  of  the  tail  of  a  Mackerel.  It  is 
necessary  that  the  boat  should  be  in  motion,  in  order  to  drag  the  bait 
along  near  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  great  fishery  for  Mackerel  ia 
in  some  parts  of  the  west  coast  of  England.  This  is  of  such  an  extent 
as  to  employ,  in  the  whole,  a  capital  of  nearly  two  hundred  thousand 


430 


THE    COMMON    MACKEREL. 


pounds.  The  fishermen  go  out  to  the  distance  of  several  leagues  from 
the  shore,  and  stretch  their  nets,  which  are  sometimes  several  miles 
in  extent,  across  the  tide,  during  the  night.  The  meshes  of  these  nets 
are  just  large  enough  to  admit  the  heads  of  tolerably  large  fish,  and 
to  catch  them  by  the  gills.  A  single  boat  has  been  known  to  bring 
in,  after  one  night's  fishing,  a  cargo  that  has  been  sold  or  nearly 
seventy  pounds.  Besides  these,  there  is,  in  the  west  of  England, 
Another  mode  of  fishing  for  Maokerel  with  a  ground  seine.  A  coil  of 


UACKBREL  BOATS. 


rope,  about  two  hundred  fathoms  in  length,  with  the  net  fastened  to 
one  end,  is  tied,  at  the  other,  to  a  post  or  rock,  on  the  shore.  The 
boat  is  then  rowed  to  the  extremity  of  this  coil,  when  a  pole,  fixed 
there,  and  leaded  heavily  at  the  bottom,  is  thrown  overboard.  The 
rowers,  from  this  place,  make  as  nearly  as  possible  a  semicircle,  two 
men  continually  and  regularly  putting  the  net  into  the  water.  When 
they  come  to  the  other  end  of  the  net,  where  there  is  another  leaded 
pole,  they  throw  that  overboard.  Another  coil  of  rope,  similar  to  the 
first,  is  by  degrees  thrown  into  the  water,  as  the  boatmen  make  for 
the  shore.  The  boat's  crew  now  land,  and,  with  the  assistance  of 
persons  stationed  there,  haul  in  each  end  of  the  net  till  they  come  to 


THE   THUNNY.  431 

the  two  poles.  The  boat  is  then  again  pushed  off  towards  the  centre 
of  the  net,  in  order  to  prevent  the  more  vigorous  fish  from  leaping 
over  the  corks.  By  these  means,  three  or  four  hundred  fish  are  often 
sought  at  one  haul. 

Mackerel  are  said  to  be  fond  of  human  flesh.  Pontoppidan  informs 
us,  that  a  sailor,  belonging  to  a  ship  lying  in  one  of  the  harbors  on 
the  coast  of  Norway,  went  into  the  water  to  wash  himself;  when  he 
was  suddenly  missed  by  his  companions.  In  the  course  of  a  few 
minutes,  however,  he  was  seen  on  the  surface,  with  vast  numbers  of 
these  fish  fastened  on  him.  The  people  went  in  a  boat  to  his  assist- 
ance; and  though,  when  they  got  him  up,  they  forced  with  some  diffi- 
culty the  fishes  from  him,  they  found  it  was  too  late;  for  the  poor 
fellow,  very  shortly  afterwards,  expired. 

Their  greatest  weight  seldom  exceeds  two  pounds,  though  some 
have  been  seen  that  weighed  more  than  five.  Their  voracity  has 
scarcely  any  bounds ;  and  when  they  get  among  a  shoal  of  Herrings, 
they  make  such  havoc  as  frequently  to  drive  it  away.  They  are  very 
prolific,  and  deposit  their  spawn  among  the  rocks  near  the  shore,  about 
the  month  of  June.  They  die  almost  immediately  after  they  are  taken 
out  of  the  water,  arid  for  a  short  time  exhibit  a  phosphoric  light. 

In  spring  their  eyes  are  covered  with  a  white  film,  that  grows  in 
the  winter,  and  is  regularly  cast  at  the  beginning  of  summer.  During 
this  time  they  are  said  to  be  nearly  blind. 


THE   THUNNY. 

On  the  coast  of  Sicily,  as  well  as  in  several  other  parts  of  the 

Mediterranean, 
there  are  very 
considerable 
Thunny  fisher- 
ies. The  nets 
are  spread  over 
a  large  space  of 
sea.  by  means  of 
cables  fastened 
to  anchors,  and 
they  are  divided 
into  several  com- 
partments. A  man,  placed  upon  the  summit  of  a  rock  high  above 
the  water,  gives  the  signal  of  the  fish  being  arrived;  for  he  can  dis- 
cern from  that  elevation  what  passes  under  the  water,  much  better 
\han  any  person  near  the  surface.  As  soon  as  notice  is  given  that  a 
shoal  of  fish  has  penetrated  as  far  as  the  inner  compartment  of  the 
net,  the  passage  is  drawn  close,  and  the  slaughter  begins. 

Thunnies  enter  the  Mediterranean  about  the  vernal  equinox, 
travelling  in  9  triangular  phalanx  so  as  to  cut  the  waters  with  ita 
point,  and  to  present  an  extensive  base  for  the  tides  and  currents  to 
act  against,  and  impel  forwards. 


THE   THUNNT.  433 

They  repair  to  the  warm  seas  of  Greece  to  spawn,  steering  their 
course  thitner  along  the  European  shores;  but  as  they  return  they 
approach  the  African  coast:  the  young  fry  is  placed  in  the  van  of  the 
squadron  as  they  travel.  They  come  back  from  the  east  in  May,  ami 
about  that  time,  they  abound  on  the  coasts  of  Sicily  <md  Calabria 
hi  autumn  they  steer  northward,  and  frequent  the  neighborhood  of 
Amalphi  and  Naples.  They  are  not  uncommon  on  the  western  const.* 
of  Scotland,  where  they  come  in  pursuit  of  the  Herrings,  and  oftm, 
during  the  night,  strike  into  the  nets,  and  do  considerable  d-image. 
When  the  fishermen  draw  these  up  in  the  morning,  the  Thunny 
rises  at  the  same  time 
towards  the  surface, 
ready  to  catch  the  fish 
that  drop  out.  On  the 
Thunny  being  ob- 
serve d,  a  line  is 
thrown  into  the  water, 
having  a  strong  hook 
baited  with  a  Herring,  ,  THDNNt 

which  it  seldom  fails 

to  seize.     As  soon  as  the  fish  finds  itself  ensnared,  it  seems  to  lose  all 
its  active  powers,  and  after  very  little  resistance,  submits  to  its  fate. 

The  quantity  of  these  iish  that  is  annually  consumed  in  the  two 
Sicilies,  almost  exceeds  the  bounds  of  calculation.  When  caught  in 
May  they  are  full  of  spawn,  and  are  then  esteemed  unwholesome,  JM 
being  apt  to  occasion  headaches  and  vapors;  to  prevent  these  bad 
eilects,  the  natives  fry  them  in  oil,  and  afterwards  salt  them.  The 
nieces  when  fresh,  appear  exactly  like  raw  beef;  but  when  boiled 
they  turn  pale,  and  have  somewhat  the  flavor  of  Salmon.  The  most 
delicate  parts  are  those  about  the  muzzle.  Those  fish  which  the 
inhabitants  are  not  able  to  use  immediately,  are  cut  into  slices,  salted, 
and  preserved  in  large  tubs,  either  for  sale  or  winter  provisions. 

The  Thunny  was  a  fish  so  well  known  to  the  ancients,  as  to  form 
a  principal  article  of  their  commerce.  15y  the  Romans  it  was  held  in 
great  estimation. 


OF  THE  SURMULLETS  IX  GENERAL. 

BY  the  ancient  Greeks  and  Romams,  Surmullets  were  held  in  the 
highest  esteem  for  the  table.  Pliny  was  acquainted  with  two  species; 
and  the  principal  distinction  of  habit  that  he  has  mentioned  is,  that  one 
of  them  subsists  on  living  animals,  and  the  other  on  marine  plants. 
This  distinction,  however,  is  by  no  means  correct,  since  not  only  the 
mouth,  but  also  the  digestive  organs,  are  precisely  the  same  in  each ; 
consequently  their  food  is  necessarily  the  same  also. 

There  are  several  species.  They  feed  on  other  fish,  on  testaceous 
animals,  Crabs  and  putrid  bodies  which  they  find  floating  in  the  ocean. 
None  of  them  are  known  to  inhabit  fresh  waters. 


434       THE  GRAY  GURNARD,  AND  RED  GURNARD. 


OF  THE  GURNARDS  IN  GENERAL. 

THESE  are  carnivorous  and  predatory  fish.  They  inhabit  not  only 
tlv,  North  Sea  and  the  Baltic,  but  are  also  found  in  the  Mediterranenn, 
and  in  various  parts  of  the  ocean.  When  taken  alive  out  of  the 
water,  they  erect  their  sharp  dorsal  fin,  and  attempt  to  inflict  a  wound 
by  means  of  their  spines.  These  are  their  weapons  of  defence  against 
tneir  enemies  of  the  ocean.  When  taken  up  they  compress*"  their 
bodies,  and,  in  expelling  the  air  through  their  gills  they  make  a  sin- 
gular kind  of  noise:  hence  the  French  have  given  to  them  the 
appellation  of  Grondins,  or  grumblers. 


BED  GURNARD. 


THE  GRAY  GURNARD,  AND  RED  GURNARD. 

About  the  months  of  May  and  June  the  Gray  Gurnards  approach 
the  seashores  in  considerable  shoals,  for  the  purpose  of  depositing  their 
spawn  upon  the  shallows.  They  are  occasionally  found  oil  most  of  the 
shores  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland. 

They  chiefly  reside  in  the  depths  of  the  ocean,  whore  they  have  a  plen- 
tiful supply  of  food,  in  Crabs,  Lobsters,  and  Shell-fish,  on  which  it  is 
supposed  they,  for  the  most  part  feed. 

Whilst  it  is  in  the  water,  the  colors  of 'the  Red  Gurnard  are,  almost 
beyond  conception,  brilliant  and  beautiful,  particularly  in  the  broad 
glare  of  sunshine,  as  they  then  vary,  in  the  most  pleasing  manner,  with 
every  motion  of  the  fish. 

There  are  few  of  the  residents  of  the  ocean  so  voracious  as  this ;  for 
it  devours,  with  eagerness,  almost  every  thing  eatable  that  comes  iu 
its  way. 


ABDOMINAL    FISH. 


OF  THE    SALMON  TRIBE. 

THESE  fish  are  distinguished  from  all  others,  by  having1  two 
fins,  of  which  the  hindermost  is  fleshy  and  without  rays.  They  have 
teeth  both  in  the  jaws  and  on  the  tongue  ;  and  the  body  is  covered 
with  round  and  minutely  striated  scales. 

Rapid  and  stony  rivers,  where  the  water  is  free  from  mud,  are  the 
favorite  places  of  most  of  the  Salmon  tribe.  Some  of  them  do  indeed 
inhabit  the  sea  ;  but  they  come  up  the  rivers  for  the  purpose  of 
depositing  their  spawn  in  the  beds  of  gravel  ;  and  in  this  instinctive 
pursuit  they  are  able  to  surmount  wonderful  obstacles  that  oppose 
their  course.  After  spawning,  they  return  to  the  sea  lean  and 
emaciated.  The  whole  tribe  is  supposed  to  afford  wholesome  food  for 
mankind. 


THE  COMMON  SALMON. 


This  fish  seems,  in  a  great  measure,  confined  to  the  northern  seas, 
being  unknown  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  in  the  waters  of  other  warm 


climates.  It  lives  in  fresh  as  well  as  in  salt  waters,  forcing  itself  in 
autumn  up  the  rivers,  sometimes  for  hundreds  of  miles,  for  the 
purpose  of  depositing  its  spawn.  In  these  peregrinations  it  is  that 
Salmon  are  caught  in  the  great  numbers  that  supply  our  markets  and 
tables.  Intent  only  on  the  object  of  their  journey,  they  spring  up 
cataracts,  and  over  other  obstacles  of  very  great  height.  This  extra- 
ordinary power  seems  to  be  owing  to  a  sudden  jerk  which  the  fish 
gives  to  its  body,  from  a  bent  into  a  straight  position. 

Where  the  water  is  low,  or  where  sand-banks  intervene,  they  throw 
themselves  on  one  side,  ajid  in  that  position  soon  work  themselves 
over  into  the  deep  water  beyond. 

28  435 


436 


THE  COMMON   SALMON. 


When  the  Salmon  have  arrived  at  a  proper  place  for  spawning  in, 
the  male  and  female  unite  in  forming,  in  the  sand  or  gravel,  a  proper 
receptacle  for  their  ova,  about  eighteen  inches  deep:  this  they  are 
also  supposed  afterwards  to  cover  up.  In  this  hole  the  ova  lie  until 
the  ensuing  spring,  (if  not  displaced  by  the  floods,)  before  they  are 
hatched.  The  parents,  however,  immediately  after  their  spawning. 
*nd  extremely  emaciated,  hasten  to  the  salt  water. 


OOLKRXINK  SALMON  LEAP  ON  THt  BAN.— ANGLING  FOE  SALMON. 

When  Salmon  *nter  the  fresh  waters,  they  are  always  more  or 
infested  with  a  kind  of  insect  called  the  Salmon-louse ;  and  when  these 
are  numerous,  the  fish  are  esteemed  in  high  season.  Soon  after  the 
Salmon  have  left  the  sea.  the  insects  die  and  drop  off. 

Salmon  become  lean  after  the  spawning-time,  but  they  soon  acquire 
their  proper  bulk  when  they  return  to  the  sea.  Their  food  consists 
of  the  smaller  fishes,  insects,  and  worms ;  for  all  these  are  used  with 
success  as  baits,  by  the  anglers  for  Salmon. 


THE   SALMON — COMMON  TROUT.  437 

The  Scotch  fisheries  are  very  productive ;  as  are  also  several  of 
those  in  Ireland,  particularly  that  at  Cranna,  on  the  river  Ban,  abcut 
a  mile  and  a  half  from  Coleraine.  At  this  place,  as  many  as  three 
hundred  and  twenty  tons  of  Salmon  were  taken  in  one  year. 

Salmon  are  cured  by  being  split,  rubbed  with  salt,  and  put  in  pickk>t 
in  tubs  provided  for  the  purpose,  where  they  are  kept  about  six  weeks : 
they  are  then  taken  out,  pressed,  and  packed  in  casks  with  layers  of 
salt. 

Different  species  of  Salmon  come  in  such  abundance  up  the  rivers  of 
Karntschatka,  as  to  force  the  waters  before  them,  and  even  to  dani  up 
the  stream  so  as  sometimes  to  make  them  overflow  their  banks.  In 
this  case,  when  the  water  finds  a  passage,  such  multitudes  are  left  on 
the  dry  ground,  as  (if  it  were  not  for  the  violent  winds  which  are  preva- 
lent in  that  country,  assisted  by  the  bears  and  dogs)  would  soon 
produce  a  stench  sufficiently  great  to  cause  a  pestilence. 

Salmon  are  said  to  have  aa  aversion  to  any  thing  red :  hence  th« 
fishermen  are  generally  careful  not  to  wear  jackets  or  caps  of  that 
color.  Pontoppidan  says  also,  that  they  have  so  great  a  dislike  to 
carrion,  that,  if  any  happen  to  be  thrown  into  the  places  where  they 
ane,  they  immediately  forsake  them. 


THE  SALMON,  OR   SEA  TROUT. 

Like  the  Salmon,  this  fish  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  sea,  but  in  the 
months  of  November  and  Decem- 
ber it  enters  the  rivers,  in  order 
to  deposit  its  ova ;  and,  conse- 
quently, during  the  spawning 
season  it  is  occasionally  found  in 
lakes  and  streams,  at  a  great  dis- 
tance  from  the  sea. 

It  feeds  on  aquatic  insects,  worms,  and  small  fish,  and  is  often  caught 
by  anglers,  either  with  real  or  artificial  €ies. 

,  The  flesh  of  this  Trout  is  red  and  of  excellent  flavor,  but,  like  that 
of  the  Salmon,  the  goodness  varies  according  to  the  quality  of  the 
water  in  which  they  are  caught.  On  this  also  depends  the  greater  or 
less  brilliancy  and  beauty  of  their  color.  In  muddy  or  putrid  waters, 
they  generally  become  insipid  and  unpalatable.  These  fish  chiefly 
delight  in  large  rivers,  where  the  stream  is  rapid,  and  the  bottom  is 
either  of  sand  or  gravel. 


THE  COMMON,  O«  SHIVER   TROUT. 

Though  this  is  a  delicate  and  excellent  fish  for  the  table,  it  wns  in 
no  esteem  among  the  ancients.  It  abounded  in  most  of  the  lakes  of 
the  Roman  empire,  yet  is  only  mentioned  by  writers  on  account  of  ita 
beautiful  colors. 

In  some  rivers,  Trouts  begin  to  spawn  in  October ;  but  November 


>IOQ 


THE  SMELX  4ot) 


is  the  ehief  month  of  spawning.  About  the  <end  of  September  they 
quit  the  deep  water,  to  which  they  had  retired  during  the  hot  weather 
and  make  great  efforts  to  gain  the  course  <sf  the  -currents,  and  seek  out 
a  proper  place  for  depositing  their  ova.  This  is  always  done  on  a 
gravelly  bottom,  or  where  gravel  and  tsaiad  are  mixed  among  stones, 
near  the  end  or  sides  of  streams.  At  this  period  they  fturm  black  about 
the  head  and  body,  aad  become  soft  and  uawkolesonae.  They  are 
never  good  when  they  are  full  of  roe-:  which  is  coatrary  to  the  naiune 
of  most  other  fish.  A&er  having  -spawned  they  become  feeble,  their 

bodies  are  wasted,  and  those  beau- 
tiful spots,  which  before  adornel 
them,  are  imperceptible.  Theic 
heads  appear  swelled,  and  their 
eyes  are  dull.  In  this  state  they 
seek  still  waters,  aad  continue  there 
sick,  as  ft  is  supposed,  all  the 

COMMON   TROUT.  .  ~]  t  r  ' 

winter.  There  are  in  all  Trorat- 

rivers  some  barren  female  fish,  which  oontiaue  good  through  tha 
winter. 

la  March,  or  sometimes  earlier,  if  the  we.tfcher  foe  mild,  the  Trout-s 
foegira  to  leave  their  winter  quarters,  and  approach  the  shallows  -or  tails 
of  streams,  where  they  cleanse  and  restore  themselves.  As  they 
acquire  strength  they  advance  still  higher  up  the  rivers,  till  they  fix 
©n  their  summer  residence,  for  whieh  tfoey  generally  choose  an  eddy 
^behind  a  stone,  a  log,  or  bank,  that  projects  into  the  water,  and  against 
which  t%e  current  drives.  They  also  frequently  get  into  holes  under 
roots  of  trees,  ©r  into  deeps  that  are  shaded  foy  boughs  and  bash-es. 

These  fish  are  said  to  be  in  season  from  Mar^Ja  Xo  .September. 


THE   SM"ELT. 

lt  is  |*eoerally  ^considered  that  the  snaetl  -6ff  'this  «legant  fHifle 

somewhat  resemblee 
that  of  -eric«mber« 
n-ewly  c^t.  From  its 
very  peculiar  soent,  so 
unlike  th-at  -of  any 
other  species  of  fi^k 
we  give  to  H  the  do 

of  Smelt,  or  "  smell  it."  T%«  Oerraans  -eall  it  Stmckfisch* 
The  best  season  for  these  fish,  is  from  December  to  May,  when  they 
approach  the  shores,  and  eveaa  ascend  the  rivers  i<n  immense  shoals. 
Their  usual  season  of  spawning  is  about  the  months  of  March  and 
April.  In  certain  rivers,  Smelts  appear  a  loag  time  before  they  spawn, 
and  in  others  it  has  been  remarked  that  they  do  not  at  all  appea* ,  so 
long  as  there  is  any  snow-water  floating  -dow-n.  After  they  have  de- 
posited their  ova,  they  return  to  the  sea,  and  they  are  not  again  found 
ia  the  rivers  until  the  ensuing  season.  In  the  Thames  thejare-caughl 
a)  jgreat  numbers  from  November  to  .January. 


440  THE  UMBER,  OR   GRAYLING  -  COMMON   PIKE. 


THJI   UMBER,  OB  GRAYLING. 

The  ancient  writers  strongly  recommend  these  fish  as  food  for  sick 
persons:  they  considered  them 
to  b«  peculiarly  wholesome,,  and 
easy  of  digestion.  To  oil  made 
from  the  fat  of  the  Graylings, 
they  attributed  the  property  of 
obliterating  the  marks  of  small- 
IKJX,  freckles,  and  other  spots 
on  the  skin.  The  season  of  the 
year  during  which  these  fish 
are  considered  in  greatest  per- 
fection, is  from  September  to  January. 

Graylings  delight  chiefly  in  rapid  streams,  where  they  afford  greafc 
amusement  to  the  angler.  They  are  very  voracious,  and  rise  eagerly 
to  the  Fly.  They  are  bolder  fish  than  Trout,  and  even  if  misseS 
•everal  times  successively  they  will  still  pursue.  So  rapid  are  their 
motions  in  the  water,  that  their  name  of  Umber  has  been  thence 
derived.  Ausonius  says  of  them, 

"  The  Uraber  swift,  escapes  the  quickest  eye.* 

They  feed  principally  on  worms,  insects,  and  water-snails;  and  the 
jLclLs  of  the  latter  ore  often  found  in  great  quantity  in  their  stomachs, 


OF  THE  FIEE  TBTBK 

ll  cbes  not  appear  that  more  than  three  species  of  Pike  wer® 
kno^n  to  the  ancients.  The  species  at  present  known,  are  fifteen  iu 
number.  They  are  all  predatory  fish,  but  few  of  them,  are  so  voracious 
as  tho  Common  Pike.  They  multiply  fast,  and  increase  rapidly  ia 
»ize.  Their  velocity  in  the  water  is  very  great,  and  tkeir  general 
muse  Uar  power*  are  beyoad  those  of  most;  other  fish* 


THB   COMMON   P1KB. 

There  b  scarcely  any  fish  of  its  size  in  the  world r  that  m  voracity 
can  equal  the  Pike.  One  of  these 
fish  has  been  known  to  choke 
itself  in  attempting  to  swallow 
another  of  its  own  species,  that 
proved  too  large  a  morsel:  and  it 
Las  been  well  authenticated,  that 
if*  Lord  Gower'a  caaal  at  Trent- 


THE   WHITE,   OR  COMMON   MULLET. 


441 


ham,  a  Pike  seized  the  bead  of  a  Swan  as  she  was  feeding  undei 
water,  and  gorged  so  much  of  it,  as  to  kill  them  both. 

A  Pike  was  presented  to  Lord  Cholmondeley,  that  was  an  ell  long, 
and  weighed  thirty-live  pounds.  His  Lordship  directed  it  to  be  put 
into  a  canal  in  his  garden,  Mhich  at  that  time  contained  a  great 
quantity  of  fish.  Twelve  months  afterwards  the  water  was  drawn  off, 
and  it  was  discovered  that  the  Pike  had  devoured  all  the  fish  except 
a  large  Carp,  that  weighed  between  nine  and  ten  pounds ;  and  even 
this  had  been  bitten  in  several  places.  The  Pike  was  again  put  in, 
and  an  entire  fresh  stock  of  fish  for  him  to  feed  on  :  all  these  he  de- 
voured in  less  than  a  year.  Several  times  he  was  observed  by  work- 
men who  were  standing  near,  to  draw  Ducks  and  other  water-fowl 
under  water.  Crows  were  shot  and  thrown  in,  which  he  took  in  the 
presence  of  the  men.  From  this  time  the  slaughtermen  had  ordera 
to  feed  him  with  the  garbage  of  the  slaughter-house;  but,  being  after- 
wards neglected,  he  died,  as  it  is  supposed,  from  want  oi  food. 

Gesner  relates,  that  a  famished  Pike,  in  the  Rhone,  seized  the  lips 
of  a  Mule,  and  was,  in  consequence,  dragged  out  of  the  water ;  aud 
that  people,  while  washing  their  legs,  hud  often  been  bitten  by  these, 
voracious  creatures. 

The  smaller  fish  exhibit  the  same  fear  of  this  tyrant,  as  many  of  the 
feathered  tribe  do  of  the  rapacious  birds  ;  while  lying  dormant  near 
the  surface,  they  sometimes  swim  round  him  in  vast  numbers,  and 
with  great  anxiety. 

If  the  accounts  of  different  writers  on  the  subject  are  to  be  credited 
the  longevity  of  the  Pike  is  very  remarkable.  Gesner  mentions  a 
Pike,  whose  a^e  was  ascertained  to  be  two  hundred  and  sixty-seven 
years. 

OF  THE  MULLET  TRIBE. 

THE  lips  of  these  fish  are  membranaceous,  and  the  lower  lip  is 
marinate  inwards.  They  have  no  teeth  in  the  jaws,  but  on  the  tongue 
and  palate  only.  Above  the  angle  of  the  mouth  there  is  a  hard  callus. 
The  gill-membrane  has  seven  incurvated  rays.  The  gill-covers  are 
smooth  and  rounded. 


THE   WHITE,  OR    COMMON    MULLET. 

There  are  few  parts  of  the  globe  which  border  upon  the  sea,  where 
the  White  Mullet  are  not  found.  It  is  one  of  those  species  of  fisli, 
which,  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year,  pass  from  the  sea  into  the  rivers. 
These  they  usually  enter  in  the  months  of  May,  June,  and  July 
Fresh  water  is  so  little  injurious  to  the  Mullet,  even  for  permanent 
residence,  that  it  is  said  they  may  even  be  kept  through  the  whole 
year,  in  lakes  which  have  sandy  bottoms. 

They  usually  appear  in  immense  shoals,  and  swim  very  near  the 
•urface  of  the  water.  When  the  fishermen  observe  an  uiiusua* 


442 


THE    WHITE,   OB   COMMON    MULLET. 


rippling  in  the  water,  and  also  perceive  the  water  at  a  distance  to  have 
a  peculiarly  blue  appearance,  they  know  that  a  shoal  of  Mullet  is 
there.  The  general  mode  in  which  these  fish  are  caught,  is  by  seine 
nets.  In  some  parts  of  the  continent,  the  fisherman  endeavor,  by 
making  violent  noises,  to  drive  the  fish  into  their  nets ;  but  they  are 
»o  cunning,  that,  when  surrounded  by  the  net,  the  whole  shoal  will 


FI8BKRMEW  OTT  8T.  ABB'S  MAI>. 

sometimes  escape ;  for,  if  one  of  them  spring  over  it,  the  rest,  like 
Sheep,  are  sure  to  follow  their  leader. 

Mullet  axe  in  considerable  esteem  for  the  table;  and  are  in  best 
season  about  the  month  of  August.  They  are  usually  eaten  boiled ; 
and,  on  the  continent,  the  most  common  sauce  for  them  is  oil  and 
lemon-juice. 

Mullets  were  often  brought  alive  in  glass  vases  to  table,  and  a  bar- 
barous pleasure  was  derived  from  witnessing  the  changes  of  colour  they 
underwent  in  expiring.  Apicius  invented  a  mode  of  suffocating  the 
mullet  in  a  kind  of  pickle;  and  Seneca  endeavored  to  put  an  end  to 
these  practices,  disgraceful  to  a  people  who  stood  first  in  civilization. 


THE   COMMON   FLYING-FISH. 


443 


OF  THE  FLYING-FISH  IN  GENEEAL. 

The  head  is  covered  -with  scales,  and  the  mouth  is  destitute  of  teeth. 

These  fish  chiefly  inhabit  the  seas  of  hot  climates;  but  they  are 
occasionally  found  within  the  temperate  regions.  There  are  only  three 
known  species. 


FLUNG  FISH. 


THE   COMMON    FLYING-FISH. 


The  Flying-fish  has  numerous  enemies  in  its  own  element ;  the 
Dorado,  the  Thunny,  and  many  others,  pursue  and  devour  it.  To  aid 
its  escape,  it  is  furnished  with  its  long  pectoral  fins;  and  by  means  of 
these  it  is  able  to  raise  itself  into  the  air,  where  it  is  often  seized  by 
the  Albatross  or  tropic  birds.  Its  flight  is  short,  seldom  more  than 
Bixty  or  seventy  yards  at  a  time,  but,  by  touching  the  surface  at 
intervals  to  moisten  its  fins,  it  is  able  to  double  or  treble  this  distance. 
The  whole  flight,  however,  is  of  so  short  a  duration,  that  even  in  the 
hottest  weather,  its  fins  do  not  become  dry.  By  touching  the  water 

it  not  only  wets  its  fins,  but  seems  to  take 
fresh  force  and  vigor,  for  another  spring 
into  an  element,  where  it  is  not  long  able 
to  support  its  weight  by  the  motion  of 
its  fins.     If  the  Flying-fishes  were  solitary 
animals  they  would  not  be  worth  the  pursuit 
of  some  of  their  larger  enemies :  they  are 
seldom  seen  to  rise  singly  from  the  water,  but  generally  appear  in 
large  shoals. 
It  has  been  inconsiderately  remarked,  that  all "  animated  nature  seems 


44  i 


THE   COMMON   FLYING-FISH. 


combined  against  this  little  fish,  which  possesses  the  double  powers  of 
swimming  and  flying,  only  to  subject  it  to  greater  dangers.  If  it 
escape  its  enemies  of  the  deep,  this  is  only  that  it  may  be  devoured 
by  the  sea  fowl,  which  are  waiting  its  appearance  in  the  air."  Ita 
destiny,  however,  is  not  peculiarly  severe  :  we  should  consider  that, 
as  a  fish,  it  often  escapes  the  attack  of  birds;  and,  in  its  winged 
character,  the  individuals  frequently  throw  themselves  out  of  the 
power  of  fishes. 

The  eyes  of  these  fish  are  so  prominent,  as  to  admit  of  their  seeing 
danger  from  whatever  quarter  it  maj  come ;  but,  on  emergency,  they 


BIRDS   ATTACKING    FLYING    FISH. 


are  able,  in  addition,  to  push  them  somewhat  beyond  the  sockets,  so 
a.3  considerably  to  enlarge  their  usual  sphere  of  vision. 

They  are  frequently  either  unable  to  direct  their  flight  out  of  a 
straight  line,  or  else  they  become  exhausted  on  a  sudden:  for  some- 
times whole  shoals  of  them  fall  on  board  the  ships  that  navigate  the 
seas  of  warm  climates. 

In  the  water,  they  have  somewhat  the  manner  of  the  Swallow  in 
the  air,  except  that  they  always  swim  in  straight  lines ;  and  the  black 
ness  of  their  backs,  the  whiteness  of  their  bellies,  and  their  forked 
and  expanded  tails,  give  them  much  the  same  appearance  as  that  of 
these  birds. 


THE   COMMON    HERRING.  445 


OF  THE   HERRING  TRIBE. 

THESE  fish  inhabit  the  depths  of  the  ocean.  They  feed  on  mol 
luscae,  and  various  kinds  of  small  crustaceous  animals,  and  shell-fish. 
Three  of  the  species,  the  Common  Herring,  the  Shad,  and  the  An 
chovy,  were  known  to  the  ancients,  and,  as  articles  of  food,  were  held 
by  them  in  considerable  esteem.  It  is  not  known  that  any  of  these 
fish  are  natives  of  fresh  waters.  Most  of  the  species  are  migratory 
and  generally  in  immense  shoals :  and  most,  if  not  all  of  them,  are 
excellent  food. 


THE   COMMON    HERRING. 

Herrings  are  found  in  the  greatest  abundance  in  the  high  northern 
latitudes.     In  those  inaccessible  seas  that  are  covered  with  ice  for  a 


THE    HERRINQ. 


great  part  of  the  year,  they  find  a  quiet  and  sure  retreat  from  all  their 
numerous  enemies.  The  quantity  of  food  which  those  seas  supply  is 
immensely  great. 

Thus  remotely  situated,  and  defended  by  the  icv  rigor  of  the  cli- 
mate, they  live  at  ease,  and  multiply  beyond  expression,  issuing  tueiice 
in  such  shoals,  that,  were  all  the  men  in  the  world  to  be  loaded  with 
Herrings,  they  could  not  carry  off  the  thousandth  part  of  them.  Their 
enemies,  however,  are  extremely  numerous.  All  the  monsters  of  -the 
deep  find  them  an  easy  prey  ;  and,  in  addition  to  these,  th  ^immense 
flocks  of  sea-fowl  that  inhabit  the  polar  regions,  watch  their  outset, 
and  spread  devastation  on  all  sides. 

In  their  outset,  this  immense  swarm  of  living  creatures  is  divided 
into  distinct  columns,  each  five  or  six  miles  in  length,  and  three  or 
four  in  breadth,  and  in  their  progress  they  even  make  the  water 
ripple  before  them. 

In  the  month  of  June  they  are  found  about  the  Shetland  islands, 
whence  they  proceed  to  the  Orkneys,  and,  then  dividing,  they  surround 
the  islands  of  great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  unite  again,  off  the  Land's 
End,  in  the  British  Channel,  in  September.  From  this  part  of  the 
ocean  the  great  united  body  steers  south-west,  and  is  not  found  any 
more  on  that  side,  or  in  the  Atlantic,  until  the  same  time  the  ensuing 
year,  but  next  appear  off  the  American  coasts.  They  arrive  ia 


446 


THE    COMMON     HERRING. 


Cteorgia  and  Carolina  about  the  end  of  January,  and  off  the  coast  of 
Virginia  in  February.  Hence  they  coast  eastward  to  New  England. 
They  then  divide,  and  go  into  all  the  bays,  rivers,  creeks,  and  even  small 
itreams  of  water,  in  amazing  numbers,  and  continue  spawning  in  the 
fresh  water  until  the  end  of  April,  when  the  old  fish  return  into  tho 
sea,  where  they  change  their  latitudes  by  a  northward  direction,  and 
arrive  at  Newfoundland  in  May.  After  this  they  are  no  more  seen  in 
America  till  the  following  spring.  Their  passing  sooner  or  later  up 
the  American  rivers,  depends  on  the  warmth  of  the  season ;  and  even 


TARMOUTH    JETTEE. HEERIHO    BOATB    RETURNED. 


if  a  few  warm  days  invite  them  up,  and  cool  weather  succeed,  their 
passnge  is  immediately  checked  till  the  heat  becomes  more  powerful. 

The  fecundity  of  the  Herring  is  astonishing.  It  has  been  calculated, 
that  if  the  offspring  of  a  single  Herring  could  be  suffered  to  multiply 
unmolested  and  undiminished  for  twenty  years,  they  would  exhibit  a 
bulk  ten  times  the  size  of  the  earth.  But  happily,  Providence  has  so 
contrived  the  balance  of  nature,  by  giving  them  innumerable  enemies, 
afl  always  to  keep  them  within  proper  bounds. 

They  once  swarmed  so  excessively  on  the  west  side  of  the  Isle  ot 


THE   COMMON   HERRING. 


447 


Skye,  that  the  numbers  caught  were  more  than  could  possibly  be  car- 
ried away.  After  the  boats  were  all  loaded,  and  the  country  round  was 
served,  the  neighboring  farmers  made  them  up  into  composts,  and 
manured  their  ground  with  them  in  the  ensuing  season.  This  shoal 
continued  to  frequent  the  coast  for  many  years,  but  not  always  in 
numbers  equal  to  these. 

Herrings  die  almost  the  moment  after  they  are  taken  out  of  the 
water ;  whence  originated  the  adage,  in  common  use,  as  dead  as  a  Her- 
mi*/.  They  also  soon  become  tainted  after  they  are  killed.  In 
summer,  they  are  sensibly  worse  for  being  out  of  the  water  only  a  few 


TARMOCta   BBACH  CART,  POS  CARRTINO   HERRING  TO  MARKET 

hours ;  and,  if  exposed  but  a  few  minutes  to  the  rays  of  the  sun,  they 
are  perfectly  useless,  and  will  not  take  the  salt. 

After  the  nets  are  hauled,  the  fish  are  thrown  upon  the  deck  of  the 
vessel,  and  each  of  the  crew  has  a  certain  task  assigned  to  him.  One 
part  is  employed  in  opening  and  gutting  them  ;  another  in  salting,  and 
a  third  in  packing  them  in  the  barrels  in  layers  of  salt.  The  red  Her- 
rings lie  twenty-four  hours  in  the  brine  ;  they  are  then  taken  out,  strung 
by  the  head  on  little  wooden  spits,  and  hung  in  a  chimney  formed  to 
receive  them ;  after  which  a  fire  of  brushwood,  which  yields  much 
smoke,  but  no  flame,  is  kindled  under  them,  and  they  remain  there  till 
they  are  sufficiently  smoked  and  dried,  when  they  are  put  into  barreli 
for  carriage. 


448 


THE  PILCHARD. 


THE   PILCHARD. 


About  the  middle  of  July,  the  Pilchards,  which  are  a  smaller  species 
of  Herring,  appear  in  vast  shoals  off  the  coasts  of  Cornwall. 


shoals  remain  till  the  latter  end  of  October,  when  it  is  probable  they 
retire  to  some  undisturbed  deep,  at  a  little  distance,  for  the  winter. 
It  has  been  supposed,  but  improperly,  that,  like  the  Herring,  they 
•migrate  into  the  arctic  regions.  If  Pilchards  performed  any  migration 
northward,  we  should  have  heard  of  their  being  occasionally  seen  and 
caught  on  their  passage  ;  but  of  this  we  have  no  authenticated  instance. 
The  utmost  range  of  the  Pilchards  seems  to  be  the  Isle  of  Wight  in 
the  British,  and  Ilfracomb  in  the  Bristol  Channel.  Forty  years  back, 
Christmas  was  the  time  of  their  departure :  this  alteration  in  time  is  a 
vo.ry  singular  fact. 

We  have  the  following  account  of  the  Pilchard-fishery  from  Dr 
Borlase  : — "  It  employs  (he  says)  a  great  number  of  men  on  the  sea, 
training  them  thereby  to  naval  affairs;  employs  men,  women,  and 
children,  at  land,  in  salting,  pressing,  washing,  and  cleaning;  in 
making  boats,  nets,  ropes,  and  casks.  The  poor  are  fed  with  the  refus 
of  the  captures,  the  land  with  the  offals  of  the  fish  and  salt;  tht. 
merchant  finds  the  gains  of  commission  and  honest  commerce,  the 
fishermen  the  gains  of  the  fish.  Ships  are  often  freighted  hither 
with  salt,  and  into  foreign  countries  with  the  fish,  carrying  off,  at  the 
same  time,  part  of  our  tin.  From  a  statement,  the  number  of 
hogsheads  exported  from  Great  Britain,  each  year,  for  ten  years, 
amounted  to  twenty-nine  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-live 
hogsheads  yearly.  Every  hogshead,  for  ten  years  last  past,  together 
with  the  bounty  allowed  for  exportation,  and  the  oil  made  out  of  it, 
has  amounted,  one  year  with  another,  at  an  average,  to  the  price  of 
one  pound  thirteen  shillings  and  three-pence;  so  that  the  cash  paid 
for  Pilchards  exported  has,  at  a  medium,  annually  amounted  to  the 
sum  of  forty-nine  thousand  five  hundred  and  thirty-two  pounds  and 
ten  shillings.11 

When  Dr.  Maton  made  his  tour  of  the  western  counties,  he  and  a 
friend  hired  a  boat  to  go  out  and  see  the  Pilchard-fishing  at  Fowy. 
He  saya  that  the  fishing-boats,  which  are  numerous,  are  usually 


THE    SPRAT THE   SHAD. 


449 


stationed  in  ten  fathoms  water,  and  clear  of  all  breakers.     Light  sail 
boats  keep  out  at  a  little  distance  before  them,  to  give  notice  to  the 
fishermen  of  the  approach  of  a  shoal.     Persons  are  also  frequently 
stationed  on  the  neighboring  rocks,  to  watch  the  course  of  the  fish 
these  are  called  huers,  from  their  setting  up  a  hue  to  the  fishermen. 

The  nets,  which  are  seines,  are  sometimes  two  hundred  fathoms  01 
more  in  circumference,  and  about  eighteen  fathoms  deep.  Some  of 
them  are  said  to  be  capable  of  holding  upwards  of  two  hundred  hogs- 
heads of  fish,  each  containing  about  three  thousand.  About  thirty 
thousand  hogsheads  are  here  considered  a  tolerably  good  produce  for 
one  season.  But  it  happens,  now  and  then,  that  the  fishery  almost 
entirely  fails. 

The  Dog-fish  are  great  enemies  to  the  Pilchards,  often  devouring 
them  in  amazing  numbers. 


THE   SPRAT. 

Sprats  are  caught  on  the  coasts  of  the  Mediterranean,  in  suck 
immense  shoals,  that  at 
a  single  haul  of  a  large 
net,  as  many  have 
sometimes  been  landed 
as  would  have  filled 
between  forty  and  fifty 
barrels.  From  the  cir- 
cumstance  of  these  fish 
being  caught  near  the  island  of  Sardinia  in  great  abundance,  and 
being  exported  from  that  island,  in  barrels,  to  various  parts  of  the 
world,  they  have  obtained,  in  several  countries,  the  name  of  Sardine 
Sprats  are  likewise  found  in  the  North  Sea  and  the  Baltic. 

They  usually  frequent  the  deep  parts  of  the  sea ;  but  in  the  autumn 
they  approach  the  smooth  and  sandy  shores,  for  the  purpose  of  de- 
ft' siting  there  thei"  spawn. 

THE    SHAD. 

Sliads  appear  in  the  river  Rhine  in  the  month  of  March ;  in  the 

Severn  and  Thames,  and  Dela- 
ware, in  April,  May,  and  Tune ; 
and  in  the  Nile  in  December 
and  January.  As  soon  as 
they  arrive,  they  deposit  their 
spawn  in  ph^es  where  the 
current  is  most  rapid;  and, 
some  months  afterwards,  return 
to  the  sea. 

They  ascend  the  Ehine  as  far  as  Basil,  where  they  are  caught  in  nets, 
and  osier  baskets  or  traps.  In  order  to  attract  them  into  the  latter,  the 
fishermen  use  a  bait  of  peas,  prepared  in  a  certain  way  with  myrrh  : 
this  bait  is  put  into  a  small  bag,  and  suspended  in  the  inside. 


450 


THE   ANCHOVY. 


ALICE  SHAD. 


It  has  been  asserted  that  Shads  delight  in  music,  and  that  they  am 
afraid  of  storms.  They  are  so  little  tenacious  of  life,  that,  like  the  Her- 
ring,  they  always  die  as  soon  as  they  are  taken  out  of  the  water. 

When  these  fish  are  taken  ont  of  the  sea,  they  are  thin  and  ill- 
flavored  ;  but  the  longer  they  continue  in  the  rivers,  the  fatter  and 
more  eatable  they  become.  In  the  Severn  they  are  considered  very 
delicate  fish,  especially  in  that  part  of  the  river  which  flows  bj 
Gloucester;  here  they  are  usually  sold  at  a  price  higher  than  that  of 
Salmon.  The  Thames  Shad  is  esteemed  a  very  coarse  and  insipid  fish. 
In  most  countries  the  males  are  considered  less  delicate  food  than  the 
females. 


THE  ANCHOVY. 

Like  the  Herring  and  the  Sprats,  these  fish  leave  the  deeps  of  the 
open  sea  inorder  to  frequent  the  smooth  and  shallow  places  of  the 
coasts,  for  the  purpose  of  spawning.  Between  the  mouths  of  December 
and  March,  immense  numbers  are  caught  on  the  shores  of  Provence, 
Brabant,  and  Catalonia:  during  June  and  July,  in  the  English 
Channel  and  in  the  environs  of  Venice,  Genoa,  Rome,  and  Bayonne. 

The  fishermen  generally  light  a  fire  on  the  shore,  for  the  purpose 
of  attracting  the  Anchovies,  when  they  fish  for  them  in  the  night 
After  the  Anchovies  are  cleansed  and  their  heads  are  cut  ofl^  they  are 
cured  in  a  certain  way,  and  packed  in  small  barrels  for  sale  and  expor 
tation.  The  ancient  Greeks  and  Romans  prepared  from  these  fish  a 
liquid,  which  they  denominated  garum,  and  which  was  highly  esteemed 
by  most  of  the  epicures  of  that  day. 

Anchovies  are  occasionally  found  both  in  the  North  Sea  and  in  the 
Baltic ;  but  it  is  supposed  that  they  are  in  much  greater  number  in  the 
Mediterranean,  than  in  any  other  part  of  the  world. 


THE   COMMON    CARP.  4  51 


OF  THE  CARP  TRIBE. 

THE  Carp  tribe,  for  the  most  part,  inhabit  fresh  waters,  where  they 
feed  on  worms,  insects,  aquatic  plants,  fish,  and  clay  or  mould.  Some 
of  them  are  migratory.  Most  of  the  species,  which  are  very  numerous, 
are  found  only  in  the  northern  countries  of  Europe  ;  and,  consequently, 
were  unknown  to  the  ancient  naturalists  of  Greece  and  Rome. 


THE    COMMON'    CARP. 

In  their  general  habits,  these  fish  exhibit  so  great  a  degree  of 
cunning,  as  sometimes  to  be  called  by 
the  country  people  River-fox.  When 
attempted  to  be  taken  by  a  net,  they 
will  often  leap  over  it;  or  immerse 
themselves  so  deep  in  the  mud,  as  to 
sufter  the  net  to  pass  over  without 

1  COMMON  CARP. 

touching  them.     They   are  also  very 

shy  of  taking  a  bait;  but,  during  spawning-time,  they  are  so  intent 
on  the  business  of  depositing  their  ova,  that  they  will  suffer  them- 
selves to  be  handled  by  any  one  who  attempts  it.  They  breed  three 
or  four  times  in  the  year,  but  their  first  spawning  is  in  the  beginning 
of  May. 

Carp  are  found  in  the  slow  rivers  and  stagnant  waters  of  Europe 
and  Persia ;  and  here  principally  in  deep  holes,  under  the  roots  of 
trees,  hollow  banks,  or  great  beds  of  flags,  &c.  They  do  not  often 
exceed  four  feet  in  length,  and  twenty  pounds  in  weight ;  but  Joviua 
mentions  some,  caught  in  the  lake  of  Co  mo,  in  Italy,  that  weighed 
two  hundred  pounds  each ;  and  others  have  been  taken  in  tbe 
Dneister  five  feet  in  length. 

From  their  quick  growth  and  vast  incrense,  these  are  considered 
as  the  most  valuable  of  all  fish  for  the  stocking  of  ponds;  and  if  the 
breeding  arid  feeding  of  them  were  better  understood,  and  more 
practised,  than  they  are,  the  advantages  resulting  from  them  would 
be  very  great. 

By  being  constantly  fed,  they  may  be  rendered  so  familiar  as 
always  to  come,  for  fowl,  to  the  side  of  the  pond  where  they  are  kept. 
Dr  Smith,  speaking  of  the  Prince  of  Conde's  seat  at  Chantilly,  says, 
"  The  most  pleasing  things  about  it  were  the  immense  shoals  of  very 
large  Carp,  silvered  over  with  age,  like  silver  fish,  and  perfectly  tame ; 
so  that,  when  any  passengers  approached  their  watery  habitation,  they 
used  to  come  to  the  shore  in  such  numbers  as  to  heave  each  other  out 
of  the  water,  begging  for  bread,  of  which  a  quantity  was  always  kept 
at  hand  on  purpose  to  feed  them.  They  would  even  allow  themselves 
to  be  handled.17 

Carp  are  verj   long-lived:    the  pond   in  the  garden  of  Emanuel 

29 


452 


THE  TENCH — GUDGEON — CHUB. 


College,  Cambridge,  contained  a  Carp  that  had  been  an  inhabitant  of 
it  more  than  seventy  years;  and  Gesner  has  mentioned  an  instance 
of  one  that  was  an  hundred  years  old.  They  are  also  extremely  tena- 
cious of  lifs,  and  will  live  for  a  great  length  of  time  out  of  water. 


THE   TEXCH. 

Tench  are  partial  to  foul  and  weedy  waters ;  and  their  haunts  in 

rivers  are  chiefly  among  weeds, 
and  in  places  well  shaded  with 
rushes.  These  fish  thrive  best 
in  standing  waters,  where  they 
lie  under  weeds,  near  sluices 
and  pond-heads.  They  are 
much  more  numerous  in  pools 
and  pits  than  in  rivers ;  but 

those  that  are  caught  in  the  latter,  are  far  preferable  for  the  table. 

They  begin  to  spawn  in  June,  and  may  be  found  spawning  in  some 

waters  till  September.     The  best  season  for  them  is  from  that  time 

until  the  end  of  May. 

They  do  not  often  exceed  four  or  five  pounds  in  weight. 


THE  GUDGEON. 

The  food  of  the  Gudgeon  consists  of  aquatic  plants,  worms,  the 
larvae  of  water- in  sects,  and  the  spawn  of 
fish.  They  usually  swim  in  small  shoals, 
and  are  found  in  gentle  streams,  where 
the  bed  is  of  sand  or  gravel.  If  the  bed 
of  the  stream  be  raked  or  stirred  up, 
they  eagerly  collect  round  the  spot,  and 
are  easily  caught  with  lines  baited  with 
small  earth-worms. 

The  flesh  of  the  Gudgeon  is  white,  of  excellent  flavor,  and  easy  of 
digestion. 


THE   CHUB. 

The  Chub  is  a  handsome  fish ;  but  it  is  not  in  esteem  for  the  table, 

being  very  coarse,  and,  when  out  of 
season  full  of  small,  hairy  bones. 
Its  name  is  derived  from  the  shape 
of  its  head ;  the  French  and  Italians 
know  it  by  a  name  synonymous 
with  ours. 

Its  haunts  are  rivers,  whose  bottoms  are  o?  sand  or  clay,  or  which 
tre  bounded  by  clayey  banks ;  in  deep  holes,  under  hollow  banks, 


THE   DACE — ROACH.  453 

.shaded  by  trees  or  weeds.  These  fish  often  float  on  the  surface,  and 
are  sometimes  found  in  deep  waters,  where  the  currents  are  strong* 
In  ponds  fed  by  rivulets  they  grow  to  a  great  size.  They  seldom, 
however,  exceed  the  weight  of  four  or  five  pounds. 

When  the  Chub  seizes  a  bait,  he  bites  so  eagerly  that  his  jaws  are 
often  heard  to  chop  like  those  of  a  Dog.  He,  however,  seldom  breaka 
his  hold,  and,  when  once  he  is  struck,  is  soon  tired. 


THE   DACE. 

The  Dace  is  a  gregarious  and  lively  fish ;  and  during  sumraei  ia 
fond  of  playing  near  the 
surface  of  the  water.  It 
is  generally  found  where 
the  water  is  deep,  and 
the  stream  is  gentle, 
near  the  piles  of  br id ges. 
It  also  frequents  deep 
holes  that  are  shaded  by  the  leaves  of  the  water-lily ;  and  under  th« 
foani  on  the  shallows  of  streams. 

These  fish  seldom  weigh  more  than  a  .pound  and  a  half;  but  they 
are  exceedingly  prolific. 


THE  'ROACH. 

This  fish  is  found  chiefly  in  deep,  still  rivers,  where  it  is  often 
seen  in  large  shoals.  In  summer  it  fre- 
quents shallows  near  the  tails  of  fords; 
or  lies  under  banks  among  weeds,  arid 
shaded  by  trees  or  herbage,  especially 
where  the  water  is  thick.  As  the  winter 
approaches,  these  haunte  are  changed  for 
deep  a'nd  still  waters. 

The  Roach  is  so  silly  a  fish,  that  it  has  acquired  the  name  of  the 
Water-sheep,  in  contradistinction  to  the  Carp,  which  from  its  subtlety 
is  termed  the  River-fox.  Sound  vs  a  Roach,  is  a  proverb  that  appear^ 
tout  indifferently  founded. 

This  is  a  handsome  fish,  either  in  the  water  or  when  immediately 
fcaken  out  of  it.  The  flesh,  although  reckoned  wholesome,  is  in  little 
esteem,  on  account  of  the  great  quantity  of  bones.  When  Roach  are 
m  season,  their  scales  are  very  smooth ;  but  when  they  are  out  of  sea- 
son, these  feel  like  the  rough  side  of  an  oyster-shell.  Their  fins  also 
are  geneially  red  when  the  animals  are  in  perfection.  These  fish 
differ  much  in  quality,  according  to  the  rivers  in  which  they  arg 
caught.  None  are  good  that  are  kept  ID  ponds. 

Roach  feed  on  aquatic  plants  and  vermes.  Their  usual  weight  iif 
from  half  a  pound  to  two  pounds.  Some,  however,  have  been  knowo 
to  weigh  as  much  as  five  pounds. 


454  THE  GOLD-FISH. 

The  baits  used  in  catching  Roach  are  various  kinds  of  worms, 
and  pastes.  The  time  for  angling  is,  in  mild  cloudy  weather,  all  the 
day;  in  hot  weather,  only  in  the  mornings  and  evenings;  and  in  eold 
weather,  daring  the  middle  of  the  day. 


THE  GOLDFISH. 

Gold-fish  are  natives  of  China;  and  the  most  beautiful  kinds  arc 

caught  in  a  small  lake  in  the  pro- 
vinee  of  Chekyang,  at  the  foot  of  a 
mountain  called  Tsyen-king.  They 
were  first  introduced  into-  England 
about  the  year  16  W,  but  were  not 
generally  known  till  thirty  years 
afterwards. 

In  China  they  are  feept  in  pondsy 
or     large      porcelain     vessels,     by 

almost  every  person  of  distinction.  la  these  they  are  very  lively  and 
active,  sporting  about  the  surface  of  tlie  water  with  grea-t  vivacity; 
but  they  are  so  delicate,  that,  if  cannon  be  fired,  or  any  substance 
giving  out  a  powerful  smell,  as  pitch  or  tar,  are  burned  near  them-, 
great  numbers  will  be  killed.  In  each  of  the  po-wds  or  basin**  where 
they  are  kept,  there  is  an  earthen  pan,  with  holes  in  it,  turned  upsids 
down.  Under  this  they  retire  when,  at  awy  time,  they  find  the  rays 
of  the  sun  too  powerful  The  water  is  changed  three  or  four  times 
a  week.  Whilst  this  is  done,  it  is  necessary  to  remove  the  fish  into 
another  vessel;  but  they  ought  always  to  be  taken  out  by  means  of  a 
net,  for  the  least  handling  would  destroy  them. 

When  Gold-fish  are  kept  in  perods,  they  are  often  taught  to  rise  to* 
the  surface  of  the  waiter,  at  the  sound  of  a  bell,  to  be  fetl.  At  Pekin, 
for  three  or  four  months  of  the  winter,  or  whilst  the  eold  weather 
lasts,  the  fish  in  the  ponds  are  not  fed  at  all.  They  are  able,  during 
Jthat  time,  to  obtain  the  small  quantity  of  food  which  they  requirer 
from  the  water.  In-  order  to  prevent  their  being  frozen,  they  are 
often  taken  into  the  houses,  and  kept  in  china  vessels,  till  the  warm 
weather  of  spring  allows  their  being  returned  to  sheir  ponds  with 
safety. 

In  hot  countries,  Gold-fish  multiply  very  fast,  if  cure  be  taken  to 
remove  the  spawn,  which  swims  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  into 
Other  ponds;  for  otherwise,  the  animals  would  devour  th-e  greater  part 
of  it.  The  young  fry,  when  first  produced,  are  perfectly  black;  but 
they  afterwards  change  to  white,  and  then  to  gold  color.  The  latte? 
colors  appear  first  about  the  tail,  and  extend  upwards. 

The  smallest  fish  are  preferred,  not  only  from  their  being  more 
beautiful  than  the  larger  ones,  bot  because  a  greater  number  of  them 
can  be  kept.  These  are  of  a  fine  orange  red  color,  appearing  as  if 
aprnkled  over  with  gold-dust.  Some,  however,  are  white,  like  silver, 
ana  others  white  spotted  with  red.  When  dead  they  lose  all  their 
lustre.  The  females  are  kaowa  from  the  males  by  several  white  spotff 


THE  GOLD-FISH.  455 

whicfi  tljey  tiave  near  the  gills,  and  the  pectoral  fine:  tra-e  males  have 
these  parts  very  bright  and  shinir.g. 

In  Chima  the  Gold-fish  are  fed  with  balls  of  paste,  and  the  yolks 
of  eggs  boiled  very  hard.  In  Englarad,  many  persons  are  of  opinion 
that  they  weed  no  aliment.  It  is  true  that  they  will  subsist  for  a  long 
wliL?  without  any  other  food  than  what  they  can  collect  from  water 
frequently  changed;  yet  they  must  draw  some  support  from  animal- 
cules and  other  nourishment  supplied  by  the  water.  That  they  ar6 
best  pleased  by  such  slender  diet  eaay  easily  be  confuted,  since  they 
will  readily,  it  not  greedily,  seize  crumbs  that  are  thrown  to  them. 
Bread  ought,  however,  to  be  given  sparingly,  lest,  turning  sour,  it 
corrupt  the  water. 

Gold-fish  do  not  often  multiply  in  very  close  confinement.  If  it 
be  desirable  to  have  them  bred,  they  must  be  put  into  a  tolerably 
!arge  reservoir,  through  which  a  stream  of  water  runs,  and  i\a  which 
there  are  some  deep  places. 

When  the  Gold-fish  was  originally  brought  from  China  to  Eng- 
land, about  two  hundred  years  since,  it  was  considered  a  great  cari- 
osity; now,  however,  it  is  quite  common,  and  is  fourad  to  live  ia 
ponds  even  when  the  surface  -of  the  water  is  thickly  covered  with  ice. 
The  ponds  in  Christ  Church  College,  aad  the  Botanic  Gardens, 
Oxford,  are  thickly  populated  with  these  beautiful  fish,  which  in- 
crease with  the  Hioftt  marvelous  rapidity:  The  jDond  in  the  centre 
of  the  Clarendon  Printing  Office  was  stocked  with  these  fish,  and  as 
the  spare  water  from  the  steam-engine  used  ia  the  works  passed  into 
the  pond,  they  throve  amazingly.  One  unfortunate  morning,  the 
surface  of  the  pond  was  covered  with  Golden  Carp,  all  floating  dead. 
Some  verdigris  had  formed  in  some  part  of  the  engine,  bad  beea 
washed  into  the  pond,  and  had  -poisoned  all  its  finay  inhabitants. 

Gold-fish  appear  to  have  been  first  brought  to  the  United  States 
from  England.  They  were  rapidly  diffused  to  every  part  of  the 
country.  Formerly  they  were  considered  great  rarities  and  were 
seen  only  ia  the  parlors  and  conservatories  of  wealthy  people,  where, 
iva  their  highly  ornamented  glass  globes  and  vases,  they  attracted 
much  attention  and  admiration ;  but  now  they  are  raised  in  po&ds  for 
sale,  are  kept  by  all  classes  of  people  in  their  houses  for  ornaments, 
and  form  one  of  the  usual  attractions  to  the  soda  water  fountain.  la 
these  latter  places  they  are  kept  in  elegantly  wrought  marble  vasea. 
The  keeping  of  them  costs  very  little  trouble,  the  principal  precaution 
accessary  for  their  healthy  existence  being  a  frequent  cJiange  of 
•rater  in  the  globe  or  vase  in  which  they 


CHONDROPTERY.GIOUS  FISH. 

OF  THE  STUBGEONS  IN  GENERAL. 

ALL  the  species  of  Sturgeons  are  inhabitants  of  the  sea,  though 
tome  of  them  occasionally  go  up  the  wider  rivers  to  spawn.  They 
are  of  large  size,  seldom  measuring,  when  full-grown,  less  than  three 
or  four  feet  in  length  The  flesh  of  the  whole  is  reckoned  extremely 
delicious;  and  to  the  inhabitants  on  the  banks  of  the  Caspian  Sea, 
and  indeed  of  many  other  parts  both  of  Europe  and  America,  theste 
fish  are  very  useful  as  an  article  of  commerce.  Their  usual  food  10 
worms  and  other  fish. 

THE  COMMON  STUR&EOIC. 

The  teadrils  on  the  snout  of  the  Sturgeon  are  three  or  four  inches 

in  length,  and  have  so 
great  a  resemblance  in 
form1  to  earth-  worms,, 
that  at  first  sight,  they 
might  be  mistaken-  for 
such.  This  c  1  u  m  s  y> 
toothless  fish,  is  sup- 
posed, by  this  contri- 
vance, to  keep  himself 
fea  good  condition,  the  solidity  of  his  fiesh  evidently  showing  him  to 
be  a  fish  of  prey.  He  is  said  to  hide  his  large  body  among  the  weetta 
near  the  sea-coast,  or  at  the  mouths  of  large  rivers,  only  exposing  his 
tendrils*  Small  fish  or  sea-insects,  mistaking  these  for  real  worms, 
approach  in  the  hope  of  obtaining  food,  and  are  sucked  into  the 
jaws  of  their  enemy.  The  Sturgeon  has  been  supposed  by  some 
persons,  to  root  into  the  mud  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea  o$  rivers ;  but 
the  tendrils  above  mentioned,  which  hang  from  his  snout  over  his 
mouth,  must  themselves  be  very  inconvenient  for  this  purpose ; 
as  he  has  no  jaws,  he  evidently  lives  by  suction,  and,  during  his 
residence  in  the  sea,  marine  insects  are  generally  found  in  his  stomach. 
At  the  approach  of  spring,  Sturgeons  leave  the  deep  recesses  of  tl  a 
*ea,  and  enter  the  rivers  to  spawn  ;  and  from  May  to  July  the  Arneri* 
caa  rivers  abo-uad  with  them.  Here  they  are  often  observed  to  leap 
to  the  height  of  several  yards  out  of  the  water ;  this  they  do  in  au 
erect  position,  falling  back  again  on  their  sides  with  such  noise,  as  to 
be  heard  in  still  evenings  at  a  great  distance.  They  have  often  bcea 
known,  at  these  times,,  ta  fall  into,  small  boats,  and  sink  them, 
45G 


COMMON   8TU3UJEOM. 


OF   THE   SHARK   TRIBE.  457 

In  some  rivers  of  Virginia,  Sturgeons  are  found  in  such  numoera, 
that  six  hundred  have  been  taken  in  two  days,  with  no  more  trouble, 
than  putting  down  a  pole,  with  a  hook  at  the  end,  to  the  bottom,  and 
drawing  it  up  again,  oh  feeling  it  rub  against  a  fish.     They  are,  how- 
ever, chiefly  killed  in  the  night  with  harpoons,  attracted  by  the  light  of , 
torches  made  of  the  wood  of  the  black  pine.     On  the  shores  aro 
fluently  seen  the  bodies  of  Sturgeons  that  have  been  wounded  with 
spears,  and  have  afterwards  died. 

*  The  fecundity  of  these  fish  is  exceedingly  great.  Catesby  says,  that 
ihe  females  frequently  contain  a  bushel  of  spawn  each ;  and  Leeuwen- 
hoek  found  in  the  roe  of  one  of  them  no  fewer  than  one  hundred  and 
fifty  billion  eggs. 


OF  THE  SHARK  TRIBE. 

THE  animals  that  compose  this  rapacious  tribe,  are  entirely  rr  arine 
and  are  more  frequent  in  hot 
than  in  temperate  climates. 
They  are  in  general  solitary, 
and  often  wander  to  vast  dis- 
tances, devouring  almost 
everything  that  comes  in 
their  way,  which  they  are 
able  to  swallow.  Some  of 
them  will  follow  vessels  seve- 
ral hundred  leagues,  for  the 

carcasses  and  filth  that  are  thrown  overboard.  The  size  to  which 
they  grow  is  enormous,  as  they  often  weigh  from  one  to  four  thous- 
and pounds  each.  Some  few  species  are  gregarious,  and  live  on 
molluscte  and  other  marine  worms.  They  are  all  viviparous  ;  their  off- 
spring when  first  protruded,  being  enclosed  (alive)  in  a  square,  pellucid, 
horny  case,  terminated  at  the  four  corners  by  lon^,  slender  filaments, 
which  are  generally  found  twisted  round  corallines,  sea-weed,  and 
other  fixed  substances. 

Their  flesh  is  altogether  so  tough,  coarse,  and  of  such  a  disagree- 
able smell,  that  even  the  young-ones  are  scarcely  eatable.  Their 
bodies  emit  a  phosphoric  light  in  the  dark.  The  skin,  is  rough,  and 
is  in  general  use  tor  polishing  ivory,  wood,  and  other  substances, 
thongs  and  carriage  traces  are  also  occasionally  made  of  it.  The  liver 
is  generally  found  to  yield  a  considerable  quantity  of  oil  Thert 
are  upwards  of  thirty  species. 

THE   WHITE  SHARK. 

This  dreadful  species  of  Shark  has  six  rows  of  teeth,  hard,  sharply 
pointed,  and  of  a  wedge-like  figure.  These  he  has  the  power  of  erecting 
and  depressing  at  pleasure.  When  the  animal  is  at  rest,  they  are  quite 
flat  in  his  mouth  :  but,  when  prey  is  to  be  seized,  they  are  instantly 
erected  by  a  set  of  muscles  that  join  them  to  the  jaw.  Thus,  with  open 


458 


THE   WHITE    SHARK. 


mouth,  goggling  eyes,  and  large  and  bristly  fins,  his  whole  aspect  is  an 
emphatical  picture  of  the  fiercest,  deepest  and  most  savage  malignity. 

It  is  a  fortunate  circumstance,  for  those  who  would  avoid  its  attacks, 
that  its  mouth  is  so  situated,  under  the  head,  that  it  has  to  throw  it- 
self on  one  side  in  order  to  seize  its  prey  \  for  its  velocity  in  the  water 


i\ 


is  so  great,  that  nothing  of  which  it  was  once  in  pursuit,  would  other- 
wise he  able  to  escape  its  voracity. 

'  These  creatures  are  the  dread  of  sailors  in  all  the  hot  climates;  for 
"hey  constantly  attend  ships,  in  expectation  of  what  may  be  thrown 


THE   WHITE    SHARK.  459 

overboard ;  and  if,  while  a  Shark  is  present,  any  of  the  men  have 
that  misfortune,  they  inevitably  perish. 

The  master  of  a  Guinea-ship  informed  Mr.  Pennant,  that  a  rage  fo* 
suicide  prevailed  among  his  slaves,  from  an  opinion  entertained  by 
the  unfortunate  wretches,  that,  after  death,  they  should  be  restored  to 
their  families,  friends,  and  country.  To  convince  thern  that  their 
bodies  could  never  be  reanimated,  he  ordered  the  corpse  of  one  that 
was  just  dead,  to  be  tied  by  the  heels  to  a  rope,  and  lowered  into  the 
sea.  It  was  drawn  up  again  as  quickly  as  the  united  force  of  tha 
crew  could  do  it ;  yet,  in  that  short  time,  the  Sharks  had  devoured 
every  vart  but  tne  ^eefcj  which  were  secured  by  the  end  of  the  cord. 

Persons,  while  swimming,  have  often  been  seized  and  devoured  by 
Sharks.  The  late  Sir  Brooke  Watsoji  was,  some  years  ago,  swim- 
ming at  a  little  distance  from  a  ship,  when  he  saw  a  Shark  making 
towards  him.  Struck  with  terror  at  its  approach,  he  cried  out  for 
assistance.  A  rope  was  instantly  thrown ;  and  even  while  the  men 
were  in  the  act  of  drawing  him  up  the  ship's  side,  the  monster  darted 
after  him,  and,  at  a  single  snap,  tore  oft' his  leg. 

In  the  pearl-fisheries  of  South  America,  every  negro,  in  order  to 
defend  himself  against  these  animals,  carries  with  him  into  the  water 
a  sharp  knife,  which,  if  the  fish  offers  to  assault  him,  he  endeavors  to 
t-trike  into  its  belly;  on  which  it  generally  swims  off.  The  officers 
who  are  in  the  vessels,  keep  a  watchful  eye  on  these  voracious  crea- 
tures; and,  when  they  observe  them  approach,  shake  the  ropes  fast- 
ened to  the  negroes,  in  order  to  put  them  on  their  guard.  Many, 
when  the  divers  have  been  in  danger,  have  thrown  themselves  into 
the  water,  with  knives  in  their  hands,  and  have  hastened  to  their  de- 
fence ;  but  too  often  all  their  dexterity  and  precaution  have  been  of 
no  avail. 

We  are  told,  that  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne  rome  of  the  men  of 
an  English  merchant-ship,  which  had  arrived  at  Barbadoes,  were  one 
day  bathing  in  the  sea,  when  a  large  Shark  appeared,  and  sprung 
forward  directly  at  them.  A  person  fromfche  ship  called  out  to  warn 
tliem  of  their  danger;  on  which  they  all  immediately  swam  to  the 
vessel,  and  arrived  in  perfect  safety,  except  one  poor  man,  who  was 
cut  in  two  by  the  Shark,  almost  within  reach  of  the  oars.  A  com- 
rade and  intimate  friend  of  the  unfortunate  victim,  when  he  observed 
the  severed  trunk  of  his  companion,  was  seized  with  a  degree  of 
horror,  that  words  cannot  describe.  The  insatiable  Shark  was  seen 
traversing  the  bloody  surface  in  search  of  the  remainder  of  his  prey, 
when  the  brave  youth  plunged  into  the  water,  determining  either  to 
make  the  Shark  disgorge,  or  to  be  buried  himself  in  the  same  grave. 
He  held  in  his  hand  a  long  and  sharp-pointed  knife,  and  the  rapacioug 
animal  pushed  furiously  towards  him;  he  had  turned  on  his  side, 
and  had  opened  his  enormous  jaws,  in  order  to  seize  him,  when  the 
youth,  diving  dexterously  under,  seized  him  with  his  left  hand  some- 
where before  the  upper  fins,  and  stabbed  him  several  times  in  the 
l»flly.  The  Shark,  enraged  with  pain  and  streaming  with  blood, 
plunged  in  all  directions  in  order  to  disengage  himself  from  his 
inemy.  The  crews  of  the  surrounding  vessels  saw  that  the  coinbai 


460 


THE   WHITE   SHARK. 


was  deckled;  but  they  were  ignorant  which  was  slain,  until  the 
Shark,  weakened  by  loss  of  blood,  made  towards  the  shore,  and 
along  with  him  his  conqueror;  who,  flushed  with  victory,  pushed  his 


SHARK.    FISHING, 


THE    WHITE    SHARK.  461 

foe  with  redoubled  ardor,  and  by  the  aid  of  an  ebbing  tide,  dragged 
him  on  shore.  Here  he  ripped  up  the  bowels  of  the  animal,  obtained 
the  severed  remainder  of  his  friend's  body,  and  buried  it  with  the 
trunk  in  the  same  grave.  This  story,  however  incredible  it  may  ap- 
pear, is  related  in  the  history  of  Barbadoes,  on  the  most  satisfactory 
authority. 

The  South  Sea  islanders  are  not  in  the  least  afraid  of  the  Sharks, 
but  will  swirn  among  them  without  exhibiting  the  least  signs  of  fear. 
"  I  have  seen,"  says  Captain  Portlock,  "  five  or  six  large  Sharks 
swimming  about  the  ship,  when  there  have  been  upwards  of  a  hun 
dred  Indians  in  the  water,  both  men  and  women :  they  seem  quite 
indifferent  respecting  them,  and  the  Sharks  never  offered  to  make  au 
nttack  on  any  of  these  people,  and  yet  at  the  same  time  would  greedily 
seize  our  baits ;  whence  it  is  manifest  that  these  people  derive  their 
confidence  of  safety  from  their  experience,  that  they  are  able  to  repel 
the  attacks  of  those  devouring  monsters." 

A  sailor,  on  the  coast  of  California,  on  plunging  into  the  sea, 
was  seized  by  a  Shark ;  but,  by  a  most  extraordinary  feat  of  activity, 
he  cleared  himself,  and,  though  much  wounded,  threw  blood  and 
water  at  the  animal,  to  show  his  bravery  and  contempt.  But  the 
roricious  monster  seized  him  with  horrid  violence  a  second  time, 
and  in  a  moment  dragged  him  to  the  bottom.  His  companion*, 
though  not  far  from  him,  and  much  affected  by  the  loss,  were  not 
able  to  render  him  any  assistance. 

We  are  tolc1  that  notwithstanding  the  voracity  of  these  creatures, 
they  will  not  devour  any  feathered  animal  that  is  thrown  overboard ; 
but  that  they  will  read^y  take  a  bait  of  a  piece  of  flesh  fastened  on  an 
iron  crook.  They  are  so  tenacious  of  life,  as  to  move  about  long  after 
their  head  is  cut  off. 

Their  flesh  is  sometimes  eaten  by  sailors  on  long  voyages ;  and, 
though  exceedingly  coarse  and  rank,  it  is  generally  considered  better 
than  that  of  any  others  of  the  tribe.  The  skin  is  rough,  hard,  and 
prickly  ;  and,  when  properly  manufactured,  is  used  in  covering  instru- 
ment cases,  under  the  name  of  shagreen. 


THE   HAMMER-HEADED   SHARK. 

The  TTammer-headed  Shark  inhabits  the  same  latitudes.  This 
curiously  constructed  fish  closely  resembles  the  White  Shark  in  all 
respects  but  the  head,  which  is  widened  out  at  each  side,  exactly  like 
a  double- hea< Jed  hammer  or  mallet.  The  eyes,  being  placed  at  each 
extremity  of  the  Load,  must  of  course  possess  a  very  extended  powei 
of  vision. 


462  THE   BASKING   SHARK, 


THE   BASKING   SHARK,  OR    MONK    FISH. 

This  species  has  derived  its  name  from  its  propensity  to  lie  on  the 
surface  of  the  water,  as  if  to  bask  itself  in  the  sun.  Though  a  very 
large  fish,  it  possesses  none  of  the  voracity  and  ferociousness  that  mark 
the  generality  of  the  Shark  tribe.  It  will  frequently  lie  motionless  on 
the  surface  of  the  water,  generally  on  its  belly  but  sometimes  on  its 
back ;  and  it  seems  so  little  afraid  of  mankind,  as  often  to  suffer  itself 
to  be  patted  and  stroked. 

Their  food  consists  entirely  of  marine-plants,  and  some  of  the 
species  of  medusae.  They  swim  very  deliberately,  and  generally 
with  their  upper  fins  above  water.  Sometimes  they  may  be  seen 

sporting  about  among  the 
waves,  and  leaping  seve- 
ral feet  above  the  surface. 
Their  liver  is  of  such 
immense  size,  as  fre- 
iquently  to  weigh  nearly 
a  thousand  pounds. 
From  this  a  great  quan- 
tity of  good  oil  may  be 
extracted ;  so  much,  in- 

MOM    FttH,    OR   RABKING  SHARK.  ..          ,  *  -in 

deed,  that  the   oil   of  a 
single  fish  will  sometimes  sell  for  twenty  or  thirty  pounds  sterling. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  northern  coasts  of  Europe  are  very  alert  in 
the  pursuit,  and  very  dexterous  in  the  killing,  of  these  fish.  When 
pursued,  the  Basking  Shark  does  not  accelerate  its  motion,  till  the 
ooat  comes  almost  in  contact  with  it,  when  the  harpooner  strikes  his 
weapon  into  its  body,  as  near  the  gills  as  he  can.  These  animals  seem 
not  to  be  very  susceptible  of  pain ;  for  they  often  remain  in  the  same 
place,  till  the  united  strength  of  two  men  is  exerted  to  force  the  har- 
poon deeper.  As  soon  as  they  perceive  themselves  wounded,  they 
plunge  headlong  to  the  bottom ;  and  frequently  coil  the  rope  round 
their  bodies  in  agony,  attempting  to  disengage  themselves  from  the 
fatal  instrument,  by  rolling  on  the  ground.  Discovering  that  these 
efforts  are  in  vain,  they  swim  off  with  such  amazing  rapidity,  that  ope 
instance  has  occurred  of  a  Basking  Shark  towing  to  some  distance  a 
vessel  of  seventy  tons  burden,  against  a  fresh  gale.  They  sometimos 
run  off  with  two  hundred  fathoms  of  line,  and  two  harpoons  in  their  ; 
and  will  employ  the  men  from  twelve  to  twenty-four  hours  before  they 
are  subdued. 


THE   COMMON   DOG-FISH. 

So  excessively  voracious  are  these  animals,  that  they  are  altogethe 
fearless  of  mankind.  They  follow  vessels  with  great  eagerness 
seizing  with  avidity  every  thing  eatable  that  is  thrown  overboard 
and  they  have  sometimes  been  known  to  throw  themselves  on  fisher- 


THE   COMMON  BOG  FISH. 


463 


DOQ   FISH   XOOS. 


men,  and  on  persons  bathing  in  the  sea.  As,  however,  they  arfl 
smaller  and  more  weak  than  most  other  Sharks,  they  do  not  attack 
their  more  exposed  enemies  by  open  force.  In  combating  them,  it  is 
necessary  to  have  recourse  to  stratagem.  They  consequently,  for  this 
purpose,  conceal  themselves  in  mud,  and  lie  in  ambush,  like  the  Kays, 
until  they  have  an  opportunity  of  acting  offensively  with  success. 
Their  usual  food  consists  of  nsh  and  other  marine  animals,  of  which 
they  destroy  immense  numbers. 

Their  flesh  is  hard  and  disagreeable  to  the  taste,  diffusing  also  a 
utrong  odor,  which  somewhat  resembles  that  of  musk.  Their  dried 
skins  constitute  the  well-known  article  of  commerce  called  shagreen, 
or  the  skin  of  the  Dog-fish.  The  small  and  hard  tubercles  with  which 
these  are  covered,  render  them  useful  in  the  polishing  of  wood,  ivory 
and  even  of  iron. 


464  THE  TORPEDO,  OR  ELECTRIC  RAY. 


OF   THE    EAY  TRIBE.  , 

THE  Rays  are  entirely  confined  to  the  sea;  and,  from  being 
destitute  of  an  air-bladder  to  buoy  them,  they  live  altogether  at  the 
bottom,  and  chiefly  in  deep  water.  They  subsist  on  shell-fish,  or  any 
animal  substances  that  come  in  their  way.  Some  of  them  become  of 
a  size  so  large,  as  to  weigh  two  hundred  pounds  and  upwards;  in 
which  case  they  are  sometimes  dangerous  enemies  to  man,  whom  they 
are  said  to  destroy,  by  getting  him  down,  lying  upon,  and  devouring 
him.  They  seldom  produce  more  than  one  young-one  at  a  time.  This, 
as  in  the  Sharks,  is  enclosed  in  a  four-cornered  bag  or  shell,  which 
ends  in  slender  points;  but  which  does  not  (as  in  those)  extend  into 
long  filaments.  The  liver  is  large,  and  often  produces  a  great 
quantity  of  oil. 

In  a  fresh  state,  most  of  the  Rays  have  a  fetid  and  unpleasant  smell, 
6ut  nearly  the  whole  are  eatable.     There  are  about  twenty  species. 
Those  with  which  we  are  best  acquainted,  are  the  Skate,  the  Thorn 
back,  and  the  Torpedo,  or  Electric  Ray. 


THE   TORPEDO,   OR  ELECTRIC   RAY. 

Torpedoes  are  partial  to  sandy  bottoms,  in  about  forty  fathoms  of 

water,  where  they  often  bury 
themselves    by    flinging    the 

^_^_    -    -  -«=«_     san(^  over  toem>  with  a  quick 
&k  ^^J^BSBH  ^  flapping  of  all  their  extremi- 

•k  -  Bties.      In    Torbay    they    are 

SJ  generally   caught,  like   other 
1  flat-fish,  with  trawl-nets;  and 
instances    have   occurred    of 
their  seizing  a  bait. 

This  fish  possesses  the  same 
property    of    benumbimr    its 

A\sn>fjc..isu.  *  •*•  *^_  ^  -.  -.  'IT 

prey,  as  that  already  described 

in  the  Electric  Eel ;  and  when  it  is  in  health  and  vigor,  the  shock 
that  it  communicates  is  very  severe :  but  its  powers  always  decline  as 
the  animal  declines  in  strength ;  and  when  it  expires,  they  entirely 
cease.  In  winter  these  fish  are  also  much  less  formidable  than  during 
warm  weather. 

Dr.  Ingenhousz  had  for  some  time,  in  a  tub  of  sea-water,  a  Torpedo 
which,  during  winter,  seemed  to  be  feeble.  On  taking  it  into  his 
hands,  and  pressing  it  on  each  side  of  the  head,  a  sudden  tremor, 
which  lasted  for  two  or  three  seconds,  passed  into  his  fingers, 
but  extended  no  further.  After  a  few  seconds,  the  same  trembling 
was  felt  again ;  and  again  several  times,  after  different  intervals.  The 
sensation,  he  says,  was  similar  to  that  which  he  should  have  felt  by 
the  discharge  of  several  small  electrical  bottles,  one  after  another,  into 


THE   SKATE.  465 

his,  hand.  The  shocks  sometimes  followed  each  other  very  quickly, 
and  increased  in  strength  towards  the  last.  Probably,  from  the  weak- 
ness of  the  fish,  the  shock  could  not  be  communicated  through  a  brasa 
chain,  though  the  usual  contortion  was  evidently  made.  A  coated 
vial  was  applied  to  it,  but  could  not  be  charged. 

From  some  experiments  that  were  made  by  Mr.  Walsh,  on  a  very 
stout  and  healthy  Torpedo,  it  appears  that  although  it  seemed  to 
possess  many  electric  properties,  yet  no  spark  whatever  could  be  dis- 
covered to  proceed  from  it,  nor  were 
pith-balls  ever  found  to  be  affected  by  it. 
When  it  was  insulated,  it  gave  a  shock 
to  persons  likewise  insulated,  and  even 
to  several  that  took  hold  of  each  other's 
hands :  this  it  did  forty  or  fifty  times 
successively,  and  with  very  little  diminu- 
tion of  force.  If  touched  only  with  one 
finger,  the  shock  was  so  great  as  to  be 
felt  ia  both  hands.  Each  effort  was  accompanied  by  a  depression  of 
the  eyes,  which  plainly  indicated  the  attempts  that  were  made  upoo 
non-conductors.  Although  the  animal  was  in  full  vigor,  it  was  not 
able  to  force  the  torpedinal  fluid  across  the  minutest  tract  of  air,  not 
even  from  one  link  of  a  small  chain  freely  suspended  to  another,  nor 
through  an  almost  invisible  separation  made  by  a  penknife  in  a  slip 
( f  tin-foil  pasted  on  sealing-wax. 


THE    SKATE    AND    THORNBACK. 

The  Skate  is  the  largest,  and  at  the  same  time  the  most  useful  fish 
v.f  its  tribe.  Its  flesh  is  white,  firm 
and  good.  In  some  parts  of  the 
Continent,  where  these  fish  are 
caught  in  great  abundance,  they 
are  dried  for  sale.  The  best  season 
for  Skate  is  the  spring  of  the  year. 
They  sometimes  attain  a  very  large 
size.  Willougby  speaks  of  one  so 
huge,  that  it  would  have  served  one 
hundred  and  twenty  men  for  dinner. 

From  the  month  of  May,  until  the  beginning  of  September,  the 
females  are  occupied  in  producing  their  offspring.  This  they  usually 
do  on  coasts  and  in  places  where  they  are  liable  to  little  interruption. 
Each  of  the  young-ones  is  enclosed  in  an  oblong,  angular  bag,  about 
half  an  inch  thick  in  the  middle.  These  are  called  purses  by  the 
fishermen.  After  the  fish  have  escaped,  the  empty  bags  are  frequently 
cast  Hshoru  by  the  tide. 

Ihr.  Monroe  has  remarked,  that  in  the  gills  of  a  large  Skate  there 
nre  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  forty-four  thousand  subdivisions,  or 
fold* :  and  that  the  whole  extent  of  this  membrane,  whose  surface  is 
near]}  equal  to  that  of  the  Haole  human  body,  may  be  seen,  by  a 


466 


THE   THORNBACK LAMPREY. 


microscope,  to  be  covered  with  a  net- work  of  vessels  that  are  not  only 
extremely  minute,  but  exquisitely  beautiful. 

In  all  its  habits  the  Thornback  resembles  the  Skate,  except  as  to  the 
time  in  which  its  offspring  are  produced.  This  is  usually  about  me 
months  ot  June  and  July ;  during  which  time  these  fish  are  caught  in 
great  numbers. 


OF  THE  LAMPBEY  TRIBE. 

THE  bodies  of  these  fish  are  slippery  and  mucous.     Three  of  the 
species  are  inhabitants  exclusively  of  fresh  waters,  and  one  only  is 

known  to  frequeDt  the 
sea.  They  are  all  much 
esteemed  as  food.  So 
tenacious  are  they  of 
life,  that  they  will  even 
continue  firmly  attach- 
ed,  by  their  mouths,  to 
solid  bodies,  for  some 
time  after  they  are  cut 
in  half.  They  feed  on 
worms,  insects,  small 
fish,  and  mud  or 
aquatic  plants. 


THE   TRUE   AND   LESSER   LAMPREY. 

The  surprising  faculty  of  adhesion  to  solid  bodies,  possessed  by 

these  fish,  arises  from  their 
drawing  up  the  middle  of 
their  circular  mouth,  and 
exhausting  the  air  from 
under  it.  The  edges  of  the 
mouth  are  thus  pressed 
closely  down  to  the  object, 
by  the  weight  of  the  super 
incumbent  atmosphere. 

Possessed  of  an  apparatus 
so  formidable  as  the  mouth 
of  the  True  Lamprey,  this 

fish,  although  it  feeds  on  animal  substances,  does  not  attack  the  largei 
and  more  powerful  inhabitants  of  the  water.  It  usually  preys  or 
marine  worms  and  small  fish ;  and,  like  the  Eel,  will  even  content 
itself  with  the  flesh  of  dead  ana  putrid  animals.  In  fact,  the  teeth 
from  the  circumstance  of  their  not  being  fixed  in  bony  jaws,  are  inc& 


THE  SEA-HORSE — ANGLER. 


467 


pable   of  offensive  operations  against  animals  more   powerful  than 
themselves. 

The  branchial  orifices,  or  gills,  on  each  side  of  the  neck  of  the 
Lamprey,  are  mistaken  by  many  persons  for  eyes.  This  fish  is 
destitute  of  bones,  having  only  strong  cartilages  in  place  of  them. 


TIIE   SEA-HORSE. 

The  singular  fish  called  the  Sea-Horse  has  often  been  found  off  the 
southern  coasts  of  England. 
The  habits  of  this  fish  are 
very  singular  and  inter- 
esting. A  pair  were  kept 
alive  for  some  time  in  a 
glass  vessel,  and  exhibited 
considerable  activity  and 
intelligence.  They  swam 
about  with  an  undulating 
kind  of  movement,  and 
frequently  twined  their 
tails  round  the  weeds  placed  in  their  prison.  Their  eyes  moved 
independently  of  each  other,  like  those  of  the  Chameleon,,  aod  the 
changeable  tints  of  tlie  head  closely  resemble  that  animal. 

More  than  once,  these  curious  fifth 

have  been  seen  curled   up  in  oysfcer 

shells. 

The  singular  creatures  called  Pij:e- 

fish  also  belong  to  the  Syngnathida). 


THE   ANGLER,  OR   FISHING   FROG 

The  Angler,  or  Fishing  Frog,  as  it  is  more  generally  called,  is  not 
uncommon  in  all  the  European  seas.  The  peculiar  formation  of  ita 
pectoral  fins  enables  it  to  crawl  for  some  distance  on  land. 

On  its  head  are  two  elongated  bony  appendages,  curiously  articu- 
lated to  the  skull  by  a  joint  formed  some- 
thing like  the  links  of  a  chain,  and  capable 
of  movement  in  any  direction.  The  An- 
gler couches  close  to  the  bottom  of  the 
eea,  and  by  the  movement  of  its  pectoral 
fini,  stirs  up  the  sand  and  mud,  and  agitates 
the  bony  appendages  amid  the  turbid 
cloud  produced.  The  small  fishes,  observ- 
ing the  muddy  water,  and  taking  the 
filaments  for  worms,  approach  to  seize 
them,  and  are  instantly  engulphed  in  the  capacious  iaws  of  the  craftv 
Angler. 

The  voracity  of  the  Angler  is  so  great,  that  when  caught  in  a  net 


468 


THE   BARBEL DEVIL   FISH. 


together  with  other  fish,  it  generally  devours  some  of  its  felloe 
prisoners — a  useless  act,  for  the  fishermen  mostly  open  its  stomach, 
and  recapture  the  flounders  and  other  fish  found  in  its  interior. 


THE    BARBEL. 

The  Barbel  is  found  in  most  of  the  European  rivers.     Its  flesh  is 

course  and  unsavory,  but  it 
is  eagerly  sought  after  by 
anglers,  as  the  spirit  and 
vigor  displayed  by  it  when 
hooked  afford  fine  sport.  It 
is  peculiarly  apt  at  breaking 
the  line,  a  feat  sometimes 
accomplished  by  a  violent 
blow  of  the  tail,  and  some- 
times by  contriving  to  twist 
the  line  round  a  root  or  post,  and  giving  a  sudden  jerk. 

It  feeds  principally  on  larvae  and  molluscs,  inhabiting  the  banks,  and 
obtains  them  by  rooting  in  the  sand  with  its  snout.  The  Barbels,  or 
beards,  hanging  from  the  upper  jaw  doubtless  assist  in  these  investiga- 
tions. It  frequently  grows  to  a  very  great  size,  weighing  from  fifteen 
to-  eighteen  pounds,  and  measuring  upwards  of  three  feet  in  length. 
Many  are  captured  by  nets  during  the  summer,  at  which  season  they 
fi  equent  the  weedy  parts  of  the  river  in  shoals ;  but  in  winter  they 
ivtire  to  the  shelter  afforded  by  banks  and  old  woodwork.  Several 
gx>d  swimmers  have  been  known  to  dive  after  the  Barbel,  as  they  lay 
pressed  against  the  banks,  and  to  bring  up  one  each  time,  not  unfre- 
q  uently  appearing  with  two,  one  in  each  hand. 


THE   DEVIL   FISH. 


The  Sea  Devil,  or  Fishing  Frog, 
is  an  inhabitant  of  the  British 
Seas.  It  grows  to  a  large  size, 
some  being  between  four  and  five 
feet  long.  The  fishermen  on  that 
coast  have  a  great  regard  for  this 
fish,  from  a  supposition  that  it  is  a 
great  enemy  to  the  Dog-fish;  and 
whenever  they  take  it  with  their 
lines,  set  it  at  liberty.  It  is  a  fish 
of  very  great  deformity;  the  head 
is  much  bigger  than  the  whole 
body ;  is  round  at  the  circumfer- 
ence, and  flat  above,  the  mouth 
of  a  prodigious  wideness. 


THE   BLENNIES-  -FATHER   LASHER,   ETC. 


469 


THE 


The  species  of  this  genus 
are  small,  live  in  shoals,  but 
not  in  great  numbers:  they 
are  very  active  and  tenacious 
of  life,  and  frequent  rocky 
coasts,  where  they  may  often 
be  found  in  the  pools  of 
water  left  by  the  tide,  hiding 
themselves  among  the  weeds, 
and  in  the  crevices-  of  the 
rocks. 


THE   FATHER  LASHER. 


FATHER  LASHER. 


*  The  Father  Lasher  is  found 
on  the  European  coasts.  It 
has  a  slender  body,  thick 
neck,  and  is  a  very  rapid 
swimmer.  It  feeds  on 
smaller  fish,  and  receives  its 
name  from  its  violent  efforts 
when  taken. 


THE   SUCKING  FISH. 

The  great  resort  of  this  species  is  in  the  northern  seas,  about  the 
coast  of  Green- 
land.  Great 
numbers  are  de- 
voured by  Seals, 
who  swallow  all 
but  the  skins; 
quantities  of 
which,  thus  emp- 
tied, are  seen  floating  about  in  the  spring  months. 


THE  SUCKING   FISH. 


THE   HORNED  SILURUS. 


HORNED  BU.URU0. 


The  Horned  Silurus  are  chiefly 
distinguished  by  the  want  of  true 
scales,  having  merely  a  naked  skin, 
or  large  osseous  plates.  The  species 
included  in  this  group  are  mostly 
river-fish,  of  considerable  size,  in 
habiting  warm  climates. 


473 


THE    SEA    PORCUPINE LUMP   SUCKER. 


THE   SEA   PORCUPINE. 


The  Sea  Porcupine 
is  found  on  the  ooast 
of  Guinea,  and  in  tho 
Indian  Ocean.  Like 
the  common  Porcu- 
pine, it  is  covered  with 
quills  or  spines,  which 
it  can  erect  at  pleasure 
when  angry. 


THE   LUMP   SUCKER. 


This  fish  derives  its  name  from  the  clumsiness  of  its  form :  its  height 
being  about  half  its  length,  and  its  thickness  about  half  its  height. 


These  fish  are  very  remarkable  for  the  manner  in  which  their  ventral 
fins  are  arranged.  They  are  united  by  a  membrane  so  as  to  form  a 
kind  of  oval  and  concave  disc,  by  means  of  which  they  are  enabled  to 
adhere  with  great  force  to  any  substance  to  which  they  apply  themselves. 
It  is  found  on  the  coast  of  Greenland. 


INSECTS. 


COLEOPTEROUS    INSECTS. 


THE  insects  of  the  Linnean  order  Coleqptera  have  crustaceous  elytra 
or  wing-cases,  which   shut  together  and  form  a  longitudinal  suture 
the  back. 


OF  THE  8CABABJB0S,  OR  BEETLE  TRIBE. 

THE  larvas  or  grubs  of  these  insects  have  each  six  feet.  In  their 
ge  leral  appearance  they  are  not  much  unlike  the  Caterpillars  of  some 
of  the  Butterflies,  having  their  bodies  composed  of  rings,  and  being 
somewhat  hairy.  Most  of  them  live  entirely  under  the  surface  of  the 
ground,  and  feed  on  the  roots  of  plants,  &c.  Their  pupa,  or  chrysalis^ 
generally  lies  dormant  in  the  earth  till  the  perfect  insect  bursts  out. 

Beetles  inhabit  and  feed  in  various  situations.  Some  are  found  in 
the  dung  of  animals,  or  in  the  earth  immediately  under  the  dung. 
Others  live  on  the  leaves  of  trees ;  and  others  on  flowers. 


THE   BULL-COMBER,    CLOCK-BEETLE,   AND  SPRING  BEETLE. 

These  insects  are  all  nourished,  both  in  their  larva  and  perfect  state, 
in  the  dung  of  animals,  which  they  are  able  to 
discover  by  their  acute  faculty  of  smell,  or  other- 
wise, at  an  immense  distance.  Under  these  sub- 
stances they  dig,  in  the  earth,  cylindrical  holes, 
of  considerable  depth,  in  which  they  deposit 
their  eggs. 

They  usually  fly  in  the  evening,  towards  the 
end  of  twilight.  The  droning  noise  produced  by 
their  wings,  at  that  time,  is  often  heard,  particu- 
larly during  the  summer  season.  When  touched, 
these  insects  counterfeit  death;  but  they  do  not 
contract  their  legs,  in  the  manner  of  the  Der- 
mestes,  and  some  other  Beetles:  they  stretch 
them  out,  so  as  to  give  the  appearance  of  stiffness  and  rigidity,  aa 
though  the  animals  had  been  some  time  dead. 

471 


CLOCK-BEETLE. 


472  THE   COCK-CHAFER. 

All  these  insects  are  subject  to  be  infested  by  a  species  of  acarus, 
>r  tick,  and  sometimes  in  such  numbers  that  they  are  scarcely  able 
to  walk  in  consequence  of  these  crowding  closely  round  the  joints  of 
the  legs  and  thighs.  A  German  writer  states,  that  the  females  of  that 
country  used  formerly  to  employ  the  thighs  of  some  of  the  most 
brilliant  of  these  Beetles,  in  the  ornamental  parts  of  their  head-dresa 


THE   COCK-CHAFER. 

The  eggs  of  the  Cock-chafer  are  deposited  in  the  ground  by  the 

arent  insect,  whose  fore-legs  are  very  short,  an'd  are  well  calculated 

or  burrowing.     From  each  of  these  eggs  proceeds,  after  a  short  time, 

a  whitish  worm  with  six  legs,  a  red  head,  and  strong  claws,  and 

about  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  which  is  destined  to  live  in  the  earth 

under  that  form  for  four  years,  and  there  to  undergo  various  changes 

of  its  skiri,  until  it  assumes  its  chrysalid  form.    It  subsists,  during  its 

subterraneous  abode,  on  the  roots  of  trees  and  plants,  committing 

ravages  often  of  the  most  deplorable  nature. 

The  larva?,  continue  four  years  in  the  ground ;  and  when,  at  the 
end  of  this  period,  they  are  about  to  undergo  their  change,  they  dig 
deep  into  the  earth,  sometimes  five  or  six-feet,  and  there  spin  a  smooth 
case,  in  which  they  change  into  a  pupa  or  chrysalis.  They  remain 
under  this  form  all  the  winter,  until  the  month  of  February,  when 
they  become  perfect  Beetles,  but  with  their  bodies  quite  soft  and 
white.  In  May  the  parts  are  hardened,  and  they  then  come  forth  out 
of  the  earth.  This  accounts  for  our  often  finding  the  perfect  insects 
in  the  ground. 

Cock-chafers  fly  in  the  evening  towards  sunset,  and  particularly 
about  places  where  there  are  trees.  They  eat  the  leaves  of  the 
sycamore,  the  lime,  the  beech,  the  willow,  and  those  of  all  kinds  of 
fruit-trees.  In  its  winged  state  this  insect  exhibits  not  less  voracity 
on  the  leaves  of  trees,  than  it  before  did  in  its  grub  state  in  the  earth; 
for,  such  is  the  avidity  with  which  it  devours  its  food,  and  so  immense 
are  sometimes  the  numbers,  that,  in  particular  districts,  they  have 
become  an  oppressive  scourge,  which  has  produced  .much  calamity 
among  the  people. 

In  the  year  1688,  the  Cock-chafers  appeared  on  the  hedges  and  trees 
of  the  south-west  coast  of  the  county  of  Galway,  Ireland,  in  clusters 
of  thousands,  clinging  to  each  other's  backs,  in  the  manner  of  bees 
when  they  swarm.  During  the  day  they  continued  quiet,  but  towards 
sunset  the  whole  were  in  motion;  and  the  humming  noise  of  their 
wings  sounded  like  distant  drums.  Their  numbers  were  so  great, 
that,  for  the  space  of  two  or  three  square  miles,  they  entirely  darkened 
jhe  air.  Persons  travelling  on  the  roads,  or  who  were  abroad  in  the 
fields,  found  it  difficult  to  make  their  way  home,  as  the  insects  were 
continually  beating  against  their  faces,  and  occasioned  great  pain.  In 
A  very  short  time,  the  leaves  of  all  the  trees,  for  several  miles  round, 
were  destroyed,  leaving  the  whole  country,  though  it  was  near  mid- 
summer as  naked  and  desolate  as  it  would  have  been  m  the  middle 


THE  COCK-CHAFER.  473 


of  winter.  The  noise  which  these  enormous  swarms  made  u 
and  devouring  the  leaves,  was  so  loud  as  to  have  been  compared  to 
the  distant  sawing  of  timber.  Swine  and  poultry  destroyed  them  in 
vast  numbers.  These  waited  under  the  trees  for  the  clusters  dropping, 
and  devoured  such  swarms  as  to  become  fat  upon  them  alone.  Even 
the  native  Irish,  from  the  insects  having  eaten  up  the  whole  product' 
of  the  ground,  adopted  a  mode  of  cooking  them,  and  used  them  aa 
food.  Towards  the  end  of  summer  they  disappeared  so  suddenly, 
that,  in  a  few  days,  there  was  not  a  single  one  left. 

About  sixty  years  ago  a  farm  near  Norwich,  Englan  _,  was  so  infested 
with  Cock-chafers,  that  the  farmer  and  his  servants  affirmed  that  they 
gathered  eighty  bushels  of  them  ;  and  the  grubs  had  done  so  much 
injury,  that  the  court  of  that  city,  in  compassion  to  the  poor  man's 
misfortune,  allowed  him  25  1. 

Books  and  Gulls  devour  immense  numbers  of  the  grubs  of  this  de- 
structive insect,  by  which  they  render  a  most  essential  service  to 
mankind,  and  great  care  ought  to  be  taken  to  cherish  and  protect  them. 
The  chief  employment  of  Books,  during  nearly  three  months  in  the 
spring  of  the  year,  is  to  search  for  insects  of  this  sort  as  food  ;  and  the 
havoc  that  a  numerous  flock  makes  among  tnem  must  be  very  great. 

A  gentleman,  having  found  a  nest  of  five  young  Jays,  remarked 
that  each  of  these  birds,  while  yet  very  young,  consumed  at  least 
fifteen  full-sized  grubs  of  the  Chafer  in  a  day  ;  and  averaging  their 
sizes,  it  may  be  said  that  each  consumed  twenty  :  this  for  the  five* 
makes  a  "hundred  ;  and  if  we  suppose  the  parents  to  devour  between 
them  the  same  number,  it  appears  that  the  whole  family  consumed 
about  two  hundred  every  day.  These  in  three  months,  would  amount 
to  twenty  thousand.  But  as  the  grub  continues  in  the  same  state  for 
four  years,  this  single  pair,  with  their  family  alone,  without  reckoning 
their  descendants  after  the  first  year,  would  destroy  as  many  as  eighty 
thousand  grubs.  Now,  supposing  that  forty  thousand  of  these  may  be 
females,  and  that  each  female  lays,  as  is  the  case,  about  two  hundred 
eggs,  it  will  appear  that  no  fewer  than  eight  millions  of  grubs  have 
been  destroyed,  or  at  least  prevented  from  being  hatched,  by  this  sin- 
gle family  of  Jays. 

It  is  true,  that  in  these  labors  of  the  Books,  Jays,  and  some  other 
birds,  they  sometimes  do  mischief  to  man  ;  and  yet  there  can  be  little 
doubt,  that  the  damage  they  thus  commit  is  amply  repaid  by  the 
benefits  that  result  from  these  their  unceasing  exertions. 

Some  farmers  plough  the  ground  in  order  to  expose  the  grubs  to 
the  birds  ;  and  others  take  the  pains  to  dig  deeper,  wherever  the  Books 
point  them  out  by  their  attempts  to  roach  them.  When  the  insects  are 
in  their  winged  state,  to  shake  the  trees  at  noon,  during  the  time  that 
they  are  all  either  asleep  or  in  a  state  of  inactive  stupor,  and  to  gather 
or  sweep  them  up  from  the  ground,  seems  the  most  eligible  method. 
One  person  has  been  known  to  kill  in  a  day,  by  this  method,  above  a 
thousand  :  by  which,  though  in  so  short  a  space  of  time,  at  a  fair  cal- 
culation, he  prevented  no  fewer  than  a  hundred  thousand  eggs  from 
being  laid. 


474 


THE   ROSE-CHAFER. 


THE    ROSE- CHAFER. 

There  are  scarcely  any  of  the  Chafers  more  beautiful  than  thia 
The  upper  parts  of  the  female  are  of  a  shining  green  color,  marked 
transversely  on  the  wing-cases  with  a  few  short  white  or  yellowish 
lines.  The  male  is  of  a  burnished  copper-color,  with  a  greenish  cast. 
These  insects  are  somewhat  more  than  an  inch  in  length.  They  are 
found  on  flowers,  particularly  on  those  of  the  rose  and  peony. 

The  grubs  that  produce  this  beetle  feed  underground,  generally  at 

the  roots  of  trees,  and  never 
appear  on  the  surface  unless 
disturbed  by  digging,  or 
some  other  accident.  They 
are  thought  to  be  injurious  to 
the  gardener,  by  devouring 
the  roots  of  his  plants  and 
trees.  The  female  deposits 
her  eggs  in  the  middle  of 
June.  For  this  purpose  she 
burrows  into  solt,  light 
ground,  hollowing  out  and 
forming  for  them  a  proper 
receptacle.  When  the  ope- 
ration is  over,  she  returns  to 
the  surface  and  flies  off,  but 
seldom  lives  more  than  two 
months  afterwards.  The 
grubs  are  produced  in  about 
fourteen  days,  and  immediately  seek  out  for  food,  which  the  parent 
always  takes  care  to  have  near  the  place  where  she  lays  her  eggs. 
As  soon  as  they  have  attained  sufficient  strength,  the  young  grubs 
separate,  each  burrowing  in  a  different  direction,  in  search  of  roots. 
They  remain  four  years  in  this  state,  annually  changing  their  skin  till 
they  become  of  full  growth,  when  they  are  of  a  cream- color,  with 
brown  head  and  feet.  During  winter  they  eat  but  little,  if  at  all,  and 
they  retire  so  deeply  into  the  ground  as  to  avoid  the  effects  ^f  the 
frost. 

About  the  month  of  March,  at  the  end  of  the  fourth  year,  the  grub 
forms  a  case  of  earth,  about  the  size  of  a  walnut,  somewhere  near 
the  surface,  within  which  it  changes  into  a  chrysalis.  In  this  state  it 
remains  till  the  beginning  of  May,  when  it  bursts  out  a  perfect 
Chafer.  This  is  at  first  of  a  light  green  color,  and  very  tender;  but 
soon  acquires  its  proper  hardness  and  strength. 

When  the  insect  is  touched  it  emits  a  fetid  moisture,  which,  no 
doubt,  is  a  mole  of  defence  against  the  attacks  of  its  enemies. 

The  structure  of  the  alimentary  canal  in  insects  is  wonderfully  diver- 
sified; not  only  are  differences  discoverable  as  we  pass  from  species  to 
species,  but  the  same  individual  will  often  be  found  to  have  a  canal 
quite  different,  according  as  it  is  examined  in  its  grub  or  perfect  state. 


ROSE-CHAFER. 


THE  PILL  CHAFER.  475 


THE  PILL  CHAFER. 

In  its  habits  of  life  the  Pill  Chafer  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
of  the  Beetle  tribe.  Tt  comes  forth  in  April,  and 
is  to  be  seen  abroad  until  about  September, 
when  it  disappears.  Its  almost  constant  em- 
ployment, in  which  it  is  indefatigable,  is  in  the 
Different  operations  necessary  to  continue  its 
species.  It  constructs  a  proper  nidus  for  its 
eggs,  by  forming  round  pellets  of  dung,  in  the 
middle  of  each  of  which  it  deposits  an  egg. 
These,  in  September,  the  insect  conveys  to  the 
depth  of  about  three  feet  into  the  ground.  Here 
they  remain  till  the  approach  of  spring,  when 
the  grubs  burst  their  shells,  and  find  their  way 

.•P  n  f.    ,-•  ,1  J 

to  the  surface  of  the  earth. 

"  I  have  attentively  admired  their  industry,  and  their  mutually 
assisting  each  other  (says  Catesby)  in  rolling  these  globular  balls  from 
the  place  where  they  made  them,  to  that  of  their  interment,  which  is 
usually  at  the  distance  of  some  yards,  more  or  less.  This  they  per- 
form breach  foremost,  by  raising  their  hind  parts,  and  forcing  along 
the  ball  with  their  hind  feet.  Two  or  three  of  them  are  sometimes 
engaged  in  trundling  one  ball,  which  from  meeting  with  impediments, 
on  account  of  the  unevenness  of  the  ground,  is  sometimes  deserted 
by  them.  It  is,  however,  attempted  by  others  with  success,  unless  it 
happen  to  roll  into  some  deep  hollow  or  chink,  where  they  are  con- 
strained to  leave  it ;  but  they  continue  their  work  by  rolling  off  the 
next  ball  that  comes  in  their  way.  None  of  them  seem  to  know 
theii  own  balls,  but  an  equal  care  for  the  whole  appears  to  affect  all 
the  community.  They  form  these  'pellets  while  the  dung  remains 
moist;  and  leave  them  to  harden  in  the  sun  before  they  attempt  to 
roll  them.  In  their  moving  of  them  from  place  to  place,  both  they 
and  the  balls  may  frequently  be  seen  tumbling  about  over  the  little 
eminences  that  are  in  their  way.  They  are  not,  however,  easily  dis- 
couraged ;  and,  by  repeating  their  attempts,  usually  surmount  the 
difficulties." 

Catesby  says  also  that  these  insects  find  out  their  subsistence  by 
the  excellence  of  their  noses,  which  direct  them  in  their  flight  t^ 
newly-fallen  dung,  on  which  they  immediately  go  to  work,  temper- 
ing it  with  a  proper  mixture  of  earth.  So  intent  are  they  always 
upon  their  employment,  that,  though  handled  or  otherwise  interrupted 
they  are  not  to  be  deterred,  but  immediately  on  being  freed  per- 
sist in  their  work  without  any  apprehension  of  danger. 

They  are  so  strong  and  active  as  to  move  about,  with  the  greatest 
ease,  things  that  are  many  times  their  own  weight.  Dr.  Brickell 
was  supping  one  evening  in  a  planter's  house  of  North  Carolina, 
when  two  of  these  insects  were  conveyed,  without  his  knowledge, 
under  the  candlesticks.  A  few  blows  were  struck  on  the  table,  and 
to  his  great  surprise  the  candlesticks  began  to  move  about  apparently 


476 


THE    GREAT    STAG-BEETLE. 


without  any  agency ;  and  his  surprise  was  not  much  lessened,  when, 
on  taking  one  of  them  up,  he  discovered  that  it  was  only  a  Chafer 
chat  moved  it. 


OF  THE   LUCANUS,  OR  STAG-BEETLE   TRIBE. 

The  antennae  of  the  Stag-beetles  have  a  club-shaped  extremity, 
divid.ed  into  short,  comb-like  leaves.  The  jaws  are  toothed,  and 
extend  so  far  beyond  the  head,  as  to  resemble  horns.  Under  the  lip 
there  are  two  palpi  or  feelers,  so  thickly  covered  with  hair,  as  to  ap- 
pear like  tufts. 

Stag-beetles  are  chiefly  found  in  rotten  and  half-decayed  wood, 
and  under  the  bark  of  trees. 


THE   GREAT  STAG-BEETLE. 

These  insects  are  very  common  in  oak  and  willow  trees.     In  the 

stumps  or  about  the  branch- 
es of  these  they  remain 
concealed  during  the  day  ; 
flying  abroad  and  feeding 
on  the  leaves  only  in  the 
evening.  The  month  of 
July  is  the  time  during 
which  they  are  principally 
seen.  The  males,  in  par- 
ticular, have  great  strength 
in  their  mandibles  or  jaws. 
With  these  they  are  able  to 
pinch  very  severely.  Lin- 
naeus informs  us,  that  they 
feed  on  the  liquor  that 
oozes  from  the  trunks  or 
branches  of  trees;  and  it 
has  been  conjectured  that 
the  jaws  are  used  either  in 
obtaining  their  food,  or  in 
fixing  themselves  firmly 
to  the  spot  while  they 
eat.  It  is  said  that  Stag- 
beetles  may  be  kept  alive 
for  a  considerable  time,  it 
supplied  with  the  fresh 
leaves  of  oak  or  willow,  or 
with  sweetened  water. 

In  Germany  there  is 
a    popular    notion,    that 


•UAT  STAG-B*ETL«,  WITH  WIXQ8  FOLDKD. 


S  6  C  t  S     *TQ 


THE   GREAT    STAG-BEETLE. 


477 


HKRCTJLBS   BEETLE. 


times'  known,  by  means  of  their  jaws,  to  carry  burning  coals  into 

the  houses; 
and  that,  in 
consequence 
of  this,  dread- 
ful fires  havo 
been  occasion* 
ed. 

It  is  a  sing* 
ular  circum- 
stance respect- 
i  ng  these 
insects,  that 

)  have  frequently  found  several  of  their  heads  near  together,  and 
alive,  while  the  trunks  and  abdomens  were  nowhere  to  be  seen ;  some- 
times only  the  abdomens  were  gone,  and  the  heads  and  trunks  were  left. 
How  this  takes  place,  I  never  could  discover.  An  intimate  and  intelli- 
gent friend  of  mine  supposes,  however,  that  it  must  have  been  in  conse- 

qence  of  severe  battles  which  at  times 
take  place  among  these,  the  fiercest  of 
the  insect  tribes:  but  their  mouths  not 
seeming  formed  for  animal  food,  he  ia 
at  a  loss  to  conjecture  what  becomes 
of  the  abdomens.  They  do  not  fly  until 
most  of  the  birds  have  retired  to  rest; 
and  indeed,  if  we  were  to  suppose  that 
any  of  these  devoured  them,  it  would 
be  difficult  to  say  why  the  heads  or  trunks  should  alone  be  rejected. 


RHINOOEROUS  BEETLE. 


8TAO  BEETtE. 


The  females  deposit  their  eggs  in  decayed  or  worm-eaten  trees.  The 
lame,  which  are  round  and  whitish,  with  rust-colored  head  and  lees 
are  nourished  under  the  bark.  In  this  state  they  pass  six  years  When 
about  to  undergo  their  change  into  a  chrysalis,  each  insect  forms  a  hard 
and  solid  ball,  of  the  form  of  an  egg,  and  sometimes  as  lame  as  the 
hand.  When  the  perfect  insect  issues  forth,  it  is  at  first  quite  soft 


478  THE   DERMESTES — THE   PTINUS. 


OF  THE  DERMESTES  TRIBE. 

Tw  their  perfect  state,  these  insects  are  generally  extremely  timid. 
The  moment  they  are  threatened  with  danger,  they  stop  in  their 
course,  draw  up  their  antennae  and  feet,  and  continue  in  a  feigned 
gtate  of  death,  until  the  object  of  their  fear  is  removed. 

The  larvae  or  maggots,  subsist  chiefly  on  the  bodies  of  dead  ani- 
mals, dried  skins,  the'bark  of  trees,  and  old  wood.  Some  of  them 
are  very  destructive  to  books  and  furniture. 

THE   BACOX    DERMESTES. 

These  insects  are  produced  from  maggots  which  are  bred  and 
nourished  in  bacon,  or  in  other  animal  substance.  To  collections 
of  dried  and  preserved  animals,  they  are  sometimes  particulary  in- 
jurious. They  change  their  skins  several  times.  These  skins  continue 
stretched  out,  as  if  blown  up,  and  are  in  appearance  like  the  little 
animals  which  cast  them. 


OF  THE   PTINCTS,  OR  BORER  TRIBE. 

IN  a  larva  state,  these  insects  are  chiefly  found  in  the  trunks  of  de- 
cayed trees,  and  in  old  wood,  where  they  make  holes  as  round  as 
though  they  had  been  formed  with  a  gimlet.  They  are  nearly  allied 
to  the  Dermestes,  but  differ  from  those  insects  in  the  form  of  their 
antennae,  mandibles,  and  legs. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year,  we  see  these  insects  issuing  from  wood 
where  the  pupa  have  been  enclosed;  and,  attracted  by  the  rays  of  the 
sun,  run  along  upon  the  window-frames,  beams,  or  wainscot.  Like 
the  Dermestes,  they  feign  themselves  to  be  dead  when  touched ;  bury- 
ing their  head  under  the  thorax,  drawing  in  the  legs,  and  concealing 
entirely  their  antennae  between  the  head  and  upper  borders  of  the 
thorax,  they  present  only  the  appearance  of  an  inanimate  substance. 

The  devastations  which  their  larvae  commit  are  very  great.  Old 
moveables  of  wood,  worm  eaten,  and  full  of  cylindrical  holes,  indicate, 
at  the  same  time,  the  work  and  the  habitations  of  these  insects.  By 
means  of  two  strong  and  powerful  jaws,  they  gnaw  the  wood  on 
which  they  feed ;  and  this,  after  passing  through  their  bodies,  is  de- 
posited in  small  grains  of  very  fine  powder,  which  fills  up  the  holes 
behind  them,  as  the  little  creatures  pass  onward.  They  increase  their 
dwellings  as  they  themselves  increase  in  size;  and  when  they  have 
attained  their  full  dimensions,  they  weave  a  nidus,  of  a  kind  of  silk 
issuing  from  their  body,  in  the  bottom  of  their  hole.  In  this  they 
change  to  a  pupa  state,  and  afterwards  to  perfect  insects. 

There  are  numerous  species.  It  will  not  be  necessary  for  me  to 
apeak  of  more  than  one. 


THE   DEATH-WATCH   PTINUS.  479 


THE   DEATH-WATCH   PTINUS. 

Notwithstanding  its  sipallness,  this  creature  is  often  the  cause  of 
serious  alarm  among  the  superstitious,  from  the  noise  which  it  makes, 
at  a  certain  season  of  the  year,  resembling  the  ticking  of  a  watch. 
From  this  it  has  its  name;  for,  whenever  this  faculty  is  exerted,  it  ia 
esteemed  portentive  of  death  to  some  one  of  the  family  in  the  house 
where  it  is  heard.  The  philosopher  and  the  naturalist  may  smile  at 
a  notion  thus  absurd;  yet  Sir  Thomas  Brown  has  remarked,  with 
great  earnestness,  that  the  man,  uwho  could  eradicate  this  error  from 
the  minds  of  the  people,  would  save  from  many  a  cold  sweat  the  me- 
ticulous heads  of  nurses  and  grandmothers." 

It  is  generally  in  the  advanced  state  of  spring,  that  these  insects 
commence  their  noise.  This  is  nothing  more  than  a  call  or  signal, 
by  which  they  are  mutually  attracted  to  each  other ;  and  it  may  be 
considered  as  analogous  to  the  call  of  birds.  It  is  not  occasioned  by 
the  voice,  but  by  the  insect's  beating  on  any  hard  substance  with  the 
shield  or  fore-part  of  its  head.  The  general  number  of  successive 
distinct  strokes,  is  from  seven  to  nine  or  eleven.  These  are  given  in 
tolerably  quick  succession,  and  are  repeated  at  uncertain  intervals ; 
and  in  old  houses,  where  the  insects  are  numerous,  they  may  be  heard 
during  warm  weather  almost  every  hour  in  the  day.  The  noise 
exactly  resembles  that  made  by  beating  with  a  nail  upon  the  table. 

This  insect,  from  its  obscure  grayish  brown  color,  nearly  resem- 
bling that  of  decayed  wood,  is  difficult  to  discover:  it  is  consequently 
not  always  easy  to  say  from  what  exact  spot  the  sound  proceeds. 
Mr.  Stackhouse  observed  carefully  the  manner  of  its  beating.  He 
says,  the  insect  raises  itself  on  its  hind  legs,  and,  with  the  body 
somewhat  inclined,  beats  its  head  with  great  force  and  agility  against 
the  place  on  which  it  stands.  One  of  them,  on  a  sedge-bottomed 
chair,  exerted  so  much  force,  that  its  strokes  were  impressed  and 
visible  in  the  exterior  coat  of  the  sedge,  for  a  space  equal  to  that  of  a 
silver  penny.  Mr.  Stackhouse  took  this  insect  and  put  it  into  a  box. 
,On  the  following  day  he  opened  the  box,  and  set  it  in  the  sun.  The 
insect  seemed  very  brisk,  and  crept  about  with  great  activity  on  the 
bits  of  sedge  and  rotten  wood,  till  at  last,  getting  to  the  end  of  the 
pieces,  it  extended  its  wings,  and  was  about  to  take  flight.  He  then 
shut  down  the  lid,  when  it  withdrew  them,  and  remained  quiet.  H<* 
kept  it  by  him  about  a  fortnight. 

The  idea  of  taming  this  little  animal  may  appear  absurd:  it  has, 
however,  been  so  much  familiarized,  as  to  be  made  to  beat  occasion- 
ally. On  taking  it  out  of  its  confinement,  and  beating  with  the  nail 
or  the  point  of  a  pen  on  a  table  or  board,  it  will  answer  the  beats 
very  readily,  and  will  even  continue  to  repeat  its  efforts  as  long  as  it 
is  required. 

Dr  Derham  kept  a  male  and  female  together  in  a  box  for  about 
three  weeks;  and  ny  imitating  their  noise,  he  made  them  beat  when- 


480  THE   BURYING   SYLPH. 

ever  he  pleased.    At  the  end  of  this  time  one  of  them  died ;  and  SOOD 
afterwards  the  other  gnawed  its  way  out  arid  escaped 

This  insect,  which  is  the  real  Death-watch  of  the  vulgar^  emphati- 
cally so  called,  must  not  be  confounded  with  a  wingless  insect,  not 
much  unlike  a  louse,  which  makes  a  ticking  noise  like  a  watch,  but 
which,  instead  of  beating  at  intervals,  continues  its  noise  for  a 
considerable  length  of  time  without  intermission.  The  latter  belongs 
to  a  tribe  very  different  from  this:  it  is  the  Termes  Pulsatorium  of 
Linnaeus,  and  will  be  hereafter  described. 


OF  THE  SILPE^E,  OR  CARKION  BEETLES. 

THESE  insects  are  chiefly  found,  both  in  a  perfect  and  larvae  state, 
in  the  half-decayed  and  putrid  bodies  of  animals.  Their  antennae  are 
clavate,  and  the  club  is  perfoliate.  The  elytra  or  wing-cases  are 
margined ;  and  the  head  is  prominent.  The  thorax  is  somewhat 
flattened,  and  also  margined. 


THE   BURYING   SYLPH. 

The  best  account  that  I  have  seen  of  the  habits  and  economy  of 
these  interesting  insects,  is  that  written  by  M.  Gleditsch,  a  well 
known  writer  on  natural  history.  This  gentleman  had,  at  different 
times,  observed,  that  Moles  which  had  been  left  upon  the  ground 
after  they  had  been  killed,  very  unaccountably  disappeared.  Ke 
therefore  was  determined,  if  possible,  to  ascertain  by  experiment, 
what  could  be  the  cause  of  this  singular  occurrence. 

On  the  twenty-fifth  of  May,  he  accordingly  obtained  a  dead  mole, 
which  he  placed  on  the  moist,  soft  earth  of  his  garden,  and  in  two  days 
he  found  it  sunk  to  the  depth  of  four  fingers7  breadth  into  the  earth  :  it 
was  in  the  same  position  in  which  he  had  placed  it,  and  its  grave  cor- 
responded exactly  with  the  length  and  breadth  of  its  body.  The  day 
following  this  grave  was  half  filled  up ;  and  he  cautiously  drew  out 
the  mole,  (which  exhaled  a  horrible  stench,)  and  found,  directly  under 
it,  little  holes,  in  which,  were  four  Beetles  of  the  present  species. 
Discovering  at  this  time,  nothing  but  these  Beetles,  he  put  them  into 
the  hollow,  and  they  quickly  hid  themselves  among  the  earth.  He 
then  replaced  the  mole  as  he  found  it,  and,  having  spread  a  little  soft 
earth  over  it,  left  it  without  looking  at  it  again  for  the  space  of  six 
days.  On  the  twelfth  of  June  he  again  took  up  the  same  carcass,  which 
he  found  in  the  highest  state  of  corruption,  swarming  with  small,  thick, 
whitish  worms,  that  appeared  to  be  the  family  of  the  Beetles.  These 
circumstances  induced  him  to  suppose  that  it  was  the  Beetles  that  had 
thus  buried  the  mole,  and  that  they  had  done  this  for  the  sake  of 
lodging  in  it  their  offspring. 

Mr.  G.  then  took  a  glass  vessel,  and  half  filled  it  with  moist  earth 
into  this  he  put  the  four  Beetles  with  their  young-ones,  and  they  im- 


THE   BURYING    SYLPH.  481 

mediately  concealed  themselves.  This  glass,  covered  with  a  cloth,  was 
placed  on  the  open  ground,  and  in  the  course  of  fifty  days,  the  four 
Beetles  interred  the  bodies  of  four  frogs,  three  small  birds,  two  grass- 
hoppers, and  one  mole,  besides  the  entrails  of  a  fish,  and  two  small 
pieces  of  t)  ,e  lungs  of  an  Ox. 

Of  the  mode  in  which  they  performed  this  very  singular  operation, 
the  following  is  an  account :  A  Linnet  that  had  been  dead  six  hours 
was  placed  in  the  middle  of  the  cucurbit:  in  a  few  moments  the 
Beetles  quitted  their  holes,  and  traversed  the  body.  After  a  few 
hours,  one  pair  of  the  Beetles  only  was  seen  about  the  bird  :  the 
largest  of  these  was  suspected  to  be  the  female.  They  began  their 
work  by  hollowing  out  the  earth  from  under  the  bird.  They  arranged 
a  cavity  the  size  of  the  bird,  by  pushing  all  around  the  body  the  earth 
which  they  removed.  To  succeed  in  these  efforts,  they  leaned  them- 
selves strongly  upon  their  collars,  and,  bending  down  their  heads, 
forced  out  the  earth  around  the  bird  like  a  kind  of  rampart.  The 
work  being  finished,  and  the  bird  having  fallen  into  the  hollow,  they 
covered  it,  and  thus  closed  the  grave. 

It  appeared  as  if  the  bird  moved  alternately  its  head,  its  tail,  its 
wings,  or  feet.  Every  time  that  any  of  these  movements  were  obser- 
ved, the  efforts  that  the  Beetles  made  to  draw  the  body  into  the  grave, 
which  was  now  nearly  completed,  might  be  remarked :  in  effecting 
this,  they  jointly  drew  it  by  its  feathers  below.  This  operation  lasted 
full  two  hours,  when  the  smallest  or  male  Beetle  drove  away  the 
female  from  the  grave,  and  would  not  allow  her  to  return,  forcing  her 
to  enter  the  hole  as  often  as  she  attempted  to  come  out  of  it. 

This  Beetle  continued  the  work  alone  for  at  least  five  hours ;  and  it 
was  truly  astonishing  to  observe  the  great  quantity  of  earth  which  he 
removed  in  that  time :  but  the  surprise  of  Mr.  G.  was  much  augmented, 
when  he  saw  the  little  animal  stiffening  its  collar,  and  exerting  all  its 
strength,  lift  up  the  bird,  make  it  change  its  place,  turn,  and,  in  some 
measure,  arrange  it  in  the  grave  that  it  had  prepared  ;  which  was  so 
spacious,  and  so  far  cleared,  that  he  could  perceive  exactly  under  the 
bird,  all  the  movements  and  all  the  actions  of  the  Beetle. 

From  time  to  time,  the  Beetle  coming  out  of  its  hole,  mounted  upon 
the  bird,  and  appeared  to  tread  it  down  ;  then,  returning  to  the  charge, 
it  drew  the  bird  more  and  more  into  the  earth,  till  it  was  sunk  to  a 
considerable  depth.  The  Beetle,  in  consequence  of  this  uninterrupted 
labor,  appeared  to  be  tired :  leaning  its  head  upon  the  earth,  it  contin- 
ued in  that  position  nearly  an  hour,  without  motion ;  and  it  then 
retired  completely  underground. 

Early  in  the  morning  the  body  was  drawn  entirely  underground,  to 
the  depth  of  two  fingers'  breadth,  in  the  same  position  that  it  had 
when  laid  on  the  earth  ;  so  that  this  little  corpse  seemed  as  if  it  were 
laid  out  on  a  bier,  with  a  small  mount  or  rampart  all  round,  for  the 
purpose  of  covering  it.  In  the  evening  the  bird  was  sunk  about  half 
a  fingers'  breadth  deeper  in  the  earth  ;  and  the  operation  was  continued 
for  nearly  two  days  more,  when  the  work  obtained  its  final  com- 
pletion. 

A  single  Beetle  was  put  into  the  glass  cucurbit,  with  the  body  of  a 


482  THE   LADY-BUG. 

mole,  and  covered,  as  before,  with  a  fine  linen  cloth.  About  seven 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  Beetle  had  drawn  the  head  of  the  mole 
below ;  and,  in  pushing  the  earth  backward,  had  formed  a  tolerably 
high  rampart  around  it.  The  interment  was  completed  in  this  instance, 
by  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  a  space  of  time  so  short,  that  one 
could  scarcely  have  imagined  the  operation  possible,  by  so  small  a 
creature,  without  any  assistance,  and  considering  that  the  body  of  the 
mole  must  have  exceeded  the  insect  in  bulk  and  weight  at  least  thirty 
'times. 

While  engaged  in  these  experiments,  a  friend,  who  wished  to  dry  a 
Toad  in  the  shade,  fixed  it  to  a  stick  which  he  stuck  into  the  ground. 
When  it  began  to  putrefy,  the  Beetles,  allured  by  the  smell,  having 
loosened  the  end  of  the  stick  that  was  fixed  in  the  earth,  brought  it  to 
the  ground,  and  they  then  interred  both  the  Toad  and  the  stick. 

The  interment  of  these  animals,  which  generally  takes  place  froro 
about  the  middle  of  April  to  the  end  of  October,  has  been  sufficiently 
proved  to  be  not  merely  for  food,  but  as  a  proper  nidus  for  the  eggs 
of  the  insects,  and  to  nourish  the  young  family  of  grubs  that  proceeds 
from  them.  If  they  wanted  them  for  food  only,  they  would  no  doubt 
consume  them  above  ground  ;  but  in  the  continuation  of  the  species, 
it  is  necessary  to  have  them  below,  since,  otherwise,  Foxes,  Ravens, 
Kites,  and  other  carnivorous  animals,  would  seize  on  the  bodies,  and, 
along  with  them,  would  swallow  the  grubs  of  the  Beetles. 


OF  THE  COCCINELLA,  OR  LADY-BUG  TRIBE. 

THE  principal  food  of  these  insects  consists  of  aphides  or  plant-lice, 
by  destroying  which,  in  immense  numbers,  they  render  a  most  impor- 
tant service  to  mankind. 

Their  antennae  are  club-shaped,  and  the  club  is  solid.  The  thorax 
and  elytra  are  margined.  The  body  is  hemispherical,  and  the  abdo- 
men flat.  The  larvae  or  grubs  of  some  of  the  species,  have  their  bodies 
covered  with  scaly  plates ;  others  have  hairs  on  the  upper  parts  of  the 
body,  and  on  the  sides ;  and  there  are  others  still  diiYerent. 


THE   SEVEX-SPOTTKD  AND   TWO-SPOTTED   LADY-BUG. 

Few  insects  are  either  more  common  or  better  known  than  these. 
They  are  usually  found  on  plants,  where  they  repose  with  the  legs 
concealed  under  their  body,  and  their  antennae  beneath  the  head.  In 
winter  they  hide  themselves  and  become  torpid,  and  they  again  appear 
abroad  in  the  spring. 

The  females  deposit  their  eggs  on  such  plants  as  abound  with  ap- 
hides or  plant-lice.  The  larvae  have  each  six  feet,  and  a  conical  body 
divided  into  twelve  rings.  At  the  extremity  of  the  posterior  ring, 
there  is  a  kind  of  fleshy  teat,  by  which  they  are  able  to  adhere  to  solid 
oodies.  and  firmly  to  support  themselves  while  employed  in  seizing 


THE   CORN-WEEYIL.  453 

and  devouring  their  food.  They  are  so  extremely  voracious,  thai 
when  other  food  is  scarce,  they  will  sometimes  eat  even  their  own 
species. 

In  order  to  change  into  the  pupa  state,  they  attach  themselves  by 
their  fleshy  feet,  to  the  leaves  or  branches  of  trees.  Here  they  drop 
a  small  quantity  of  glutinous  liquor,  which  fixes  them  to  the  spot, 
and,  in  a  position  contrary  to  that  of  tne  plane  to  which  they  adheie. 
Little  by  little  their  body  contracts,  and  at  the  end  of  two  or  three 
days  they  undergo  their  transformation.  In  freeing  themselves  from 
their  skin,  they  make  it  pass  towards  the  hinder  part  of  their  body, 
where  it  continues  like  a  little  pellet. 

The  pupce  are  beautifully  spotted  with  black  and  other  colors.  The 
only  motion  observable  in  them,  is  that  of  alternately  elevating  and 
depressing  their  body,  particularly  if  touched.  They  finally  quit 
their  envelope  in  about  six  days  after  this  last  change.  When  they 
first  come  into  the  world  as  perfect  insects,  their  wing-cases  are  of  a 
yellowish  white  color,  soft  and  flexible.  These  soon  harden  by  their 
contact  with  the  external  air;  and  shortly  afterwards  assume  their 
proper  spots  and  colors. 

Lady  Bugs  have  in  France  the  name  of  Bete  a  Dieu,  Vacke-d-Dieu, 
and  Bete  de  la  Vierge. 


OF  THE  CURCULIO,  OR  WEEVIL  TRIBE. 

THE  larvas  of  the  Weevils,  like  those  of  other  coleopterous  in- 
sects, have  each  six  legs  and  a  scaly  head.  They  have  a  resem- 
blance to  oblong  soft  worms.  Some  of  them  infest  granaries,  where, 
from  their  numbers  and  voracity,  they  often  commit  great  ravages 
among  the  corn:  some  live  in  fruits,  the  insides  of  artichokes,  thistles, 
and  other  plants;  and  others  devour  the  leaves  of  trees  and  vege- 
tables. 

One  division  of  the  Weevils  feed  on  trees  and  shrubs,  inserting 
their  beaks  into  the  tender  branches,  and  by  this  means  extracting 
their  juices.  The  Gurculio  alliarwe  has  been  observed  with  its  beak 
plunged  into  the  twig  of  a  crab-tree,  as  far  as  the  place  whence  the 
antennas  arise.  Another  division  feed  solely  on  plants.  Others  live 
on  grain,  wood,  and  on  some  of  the  species  of  fungi ;  and  a  few  under 
the  surface  of  the  earth. 


THE   CORN  WEEVIL. 

The  Corn  Weevil  is  well  known  to  most  farmers,  from  the  devas- 
tation that  it  makes  in  their  granaries.  The  parent  insect  lays  its 
eggs  in  grains  of  corn,  probably  one  in  each  grain.  Here  the  larves, 
on  being  hatched,  continue  for  some  time  to  live,  and  it  is  very  diffi- 
cult to  discover  them,  as  they  lie  concealed  within.  They  increase 
their  size,  and  with  it  their  i welling,  at  the  expense  of  the  interior  or 
31 


484 


THE    CAPRICORN    TRIBE — GLOW-WORM    TRIBE. 


farinacions  parts  of  th*  grain  oa  which  they  feed.  Corn-Lifts  are 
often  laid  waste  by  these  grubs,  whose  numbers  are  sometimes  so 
preat,  as  to  devour  nearly  the  whole  of  their  contents.  When  the 
grab  has  attained  its  full  size,  it  still  remains  within  the  grain,  hidden 
under  the  empty  husk.  There,  being  transformed,  it  becomes  a  chry- 
salis; and,  when  it  has  attained  its  perfect  state,  it  forces  its  way  out. 

It  is  no  easy  matter  to  discover  by  the  eye  the  grains  that  are  thug 
attacked,  for,  in  external  appearance,  they  are  still  large  and  full.  If, 
however,  they  be  thrown  into  water,  their  lightness  soon  detects 
them. 

To  rid  a  granary  of  these  destructive  insects,  it  has  been  recom- 
mended to  farmers  to  spread  their  corn  in  the  sun,  when  the  Weevils 
will  creep  out  of  their  holes;  and  by  often  stirring  the  corn  while  in 
this  situation,  it  is  supposed  they  may  be  completely  expelled.  It  is 
also  said  that  they  may  be  destroyed  by  strewing  boughs  of  elder,  or 
branches  of  henbane,  among  the  corn.  In  a  late  Paris  paper,  a  gentle- 
man savs,  that  about  the  month  of  June,  when  his  granaries  and 
barns,  that  had  been  much  infested  by  Weevils,  were  all  empty, 
he  caused  a  number  of  the  hills  of  the  large  ants  to  be  collected  in 
bags,  and  placed  in  different  parts  about  them.  The  ants  immediately 
attacked  the  Weevils  that  were  on  the  walls  and  other  parts,  and 
destroyed  them  so  completely,  that  in  a  very  short  time  not  a  single 
Weevil  was  to  be  seen;  and  since  that  period,  he  says,  they  never 
appeared  on  his  premises. 


OF  THE  CERAMBIX,  OR  CAPRICORN  TRIBE. 

THE  insects  of  the  present  tribe  are  among  the  most  beautiful  thai 
are  known.  Their  antennae  are  frequently  longer  than  the  body. 
Many  of  the  species  diffuse  a  strong  smell,  perceptible  at  a  great 
distance  ;  and  some  of  them,  when  seized,  emit  a  sort  of  cry,  produced 
by  the  friction  of  the  thorax  on  the  upper  part  of  the  abdomen  and 
wing-cases. 

Their  larvce  are  found  in  the  inner  parts  of  trees,  through  which 
they  bore,  feeding  on  and  pulverizing  the  substance  of  the  wood. 
They  are  transformed  into  perfect  insects  in  the  cavities  they  thus 
make,  and  never  issue  from  their  retreats  till  they  have  attained  their 
perfect  state. 


OF  THE  LAMPYRIS,  OR  GLOW-WORM  TRIBE. 

THE  name  of  this  insect  is  derived  from  the  luminous  appearance 
of  the  posterior  part  of  its  abdomen.  The  males  are  all  winged,  but 
most  of  the  females  are  destitute  of  wings.  In  some  of  the  species  the 
males  are  not  luminous.  The  larvae,  which  feed  chiefly  on  plants  and 
leaves,  nearly  resemble  the  females  in  appearance. 

There  are  about  sixty  known  species,  inhabitants  of  different  parts 
of  the  world. 


COMMON  CLOT-WORM. 


THE   COMMON   GLOW   WORM.  485 


THE   COMMON   GLOW-WORM. 

During  the  summer  season  these  insects  are  observed  after  sun-  set 

in  meadows,  by  road  sides,  and  near  bushes. 

They  are  chiefly  to  be  seen  during  the 
months  of  June  and  July.  In  the  day-time 
they  conceal  themselves  amongst  the  leaves 
of  plants. 

Each  sex  is  luminous,  but  in  the  male  the 
light  is  less  brilliant  than  in  the  female,  and 
is  confined  to  four  points,  two  of  which  are 
situated  on  each  side  of  the  two  last  rings 
of  the  abdomen.  The  utility  of  the  bright 
light  of  the  females  is  supposed  to  consist  in  attracting  the  attention 
of  the  males  during  the  dark,  when,  only,  they  are  able  to  render 
themselves  conspicuous.  They  always  become  much  more  lucid 
when  they  put  themselves  in  motion.  This  would  seem  to  indicate 
that  their  light  is  owing  to  their  respiration;  in  which  process, 
it  is  probable,  phosphoric  acid  is  produced  by  the  combination  of 
oxygen  gas  with  some  part  of  the  blood,  and  that  a  light  is  given  out 
through  their  transparent  bodies  by  this  slow  internal  combustion.  By 
contracting  themselves,  the  insects  have  a  power  of  entirely  with- 
drawing it :  when  they  are  at  rest,  very  little  light  is  to  be  seen  M. 
Templer,  who  made  many  observations  on  these  insects,  says  that  he 
never  saw  a  Glow-worm  exhibit  its  light  at  all,  without  some  sensible 
motion  either  in  its  body  or  legs.  This  gentleman,  when  the  light  was 
most  brilliant,  fancied  that  it  emitted  a  sensible  heat. 

If  the  insect  be  crushed,  and  the  hands  or  face  be  rubbed  with  it,  they 
contract  a  luminous  appearance,  similar  to  that  produced  from  phos- 
phorus. When  a  Glow-worm  is  put  into  a  phial,  and  the  phial  is 
immersed  in  water,  &  very  beautiful  irradiation  will  be  found  to  take 
place. 

The  female  Glow-worms  lay  a  great  number  of  eggs  on  the  turf  or 
plants  on  which  they  live.  These  eggs  are  somewhat  large  for  the 
size  of  the  insects,  of  a  round  shape,  and  lemon  color.  When  first 
deposited,  they  are  covered  with  a  yellow,  viscous  matter,  which  serves 
to  fix  them  to  the  plant. 

When  full  grown  the  laivae  are  about  an  inch  long,  and  so  nearly 
resemble  the  female  in  appearance,  that  it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  dis- 
tinguish the  sexes.  When  they  change  to  their  pupa  state,  the  skin 
generally  splits  on  the  middle  of  the  head  and  back,  and  leaves  an 
opening  sufficient  to  give  passage  to  the  whole  body. 

As  soon  as  the  larvse  is  completely  disengaged  from  the  skin,  it 
curves  its  body  into  an  arc,  and  is  then  in  a  pupa  state.  It  still  has 
much  resemblance  to  the  larva.  The  only  indication  of  life  now,  is  its 
curvature,  from  time  to  time,  downwards,  and  its  moving  occasionally 
from  side  to  side. 


486  THE  MARGINED  WATER  BEETLE. 


OF  THE  ELATEB,  OR  SKIPPER  TRIBE. 

THE  Elaters  fly  with  great  facility,  and  when  thrown  upon  their 
backs,  they  are  able  to  recover  their  position  without  using  their  feet : 
for  this  purpose  the  thorax  terminates  in  a  strong 
elastic  spine,  which  is  placed  in  a  cavity  of  the 
abdomen.  The  insects,  when  upon  their  back, 
raise  up  the  middle  part  of  their  body,  so  as  to 
leave  only  the  head  and  tail  in  contact  with  the 
plane  on  which  they  lie.  The  spine  of  the  thorax 
is  by  this  motion  brought  considerably  out  of  its  lodgment,  and  made 
to  press  against  the  side.  Being  from  this  position  again  slipped  into 
its  groove,  with  all  the  force  the  creatures  are  able  to  exert,  the  thorax 
and  abdomen  come  together  with  so  sudden  a  jerk,  as  to  raise  the 
body  from  the  plane,  and  enable  them  to  spring  round. 

The  larvae  live  and  undergo  their  changes  in  the  trunks  of  decayed 
trees. 


OF  THE  DYTISCUS,  OR  WATER  BEETLE  TRIBE 

THE  bodies  of  these  insects  are  admirably  formed  for  passing 
through  the  water  with  as  little  impediment  as  possible,  being  nearly 
boat-shaped,  and  on  the  surface  perfectly  smooth.  They  inhabit  ponds 
and  ditches,  but  occasionally  fly  in  search  of  other  waters.  The 
males  are  distinguished  from  the  females,  by  having  a  horny  concave 
flap  or  shield  on  the  forelegs.  The  hind  legs  in  both  sexes  are  pecu 
liarly  adapted  for  the  aquatic  residence  of  the  insects,  being  fur- 
nished on  the  inner  sides  with  a  series  of  long  and  close-set  filaments, 
so  as  somewhat  to  resemble  fins.  In  the  large  species,  the  elytra  or 
wing-cases  of  the  males  are  smooth,  and  those  of  the  females  furrowed. 

The  larvae  are  extremely  voracious,  feeding  on  other  aquatic  in- 
sects, on  worms,  and  even  on  young  fish.  They  continue  in  this  state 
about  two  years  and  a  half ;  and  when  about  to  change  into  pupce, 
they  form  a  convenient  cell,  and  secrete  themselves  for  the  purpose  in 
the  banks  or  amongst  the  weeds. 


THE   MARGINED  WATER   BEETLE. 

Although  water  is  the  principal  element  in  which  these  insects  reside, 
they  are  perfectly  amphibious.  They  may  occasionally  be  found  in 
all  fresh  waters;  but  are  most  frequently  seen  either  in  such  as  are 
stagnant,  or  where  the  stream  is  extremely  low. 

They  are  predatory  and  very  voracious,  devouring,  in  great  num- 
bers, not  only  other  water-insects,  but  also  those  of  the  land.  They 
seize  their  prey  in  their  forelegs,  and  with  these  carry  it  to  the  mouth 


BOMBARDIER,    OR    EAPLODING    BEETLE.  487 

Although  they  are  able  to  continue  immersed  for  a  great  length  of 
time,  yet  it  is  necessary  for  them  to  rise 
occasionally  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  in 
order  to  breathe.  They  swim  with  great 
celerity ;  and,  in  flying,  they  make  a  hum- 
ming or  droning  noise,  like  other  Beetles. 

The  larvae  have  powerful  jaws,  and  six 
long  legs.  At  the  posterior  part  of  their 
body,  which  tapers  towards  the  extremity, 
there  are  two  small,  slender  processes,  situ- 
ated somewhat  obliquely,  and  moveable  at 
the  base.  It  is  by  means  of  these  that  the 
larvae  suspends  itself  at  the  surface  of  the 
water,  for  the  purpose  of  respiring  the  air 
of  the  atmosphere,  which  it  does  through 
two  small  cylindrical  tubes,  situated  at  the  extremity  of  the  taiL 

When  the  larvae  change  their  place  in  the  water,  or  seek  to  escape 
the  attack  of  their  enemies,  they  give  a  prompt  and  vermicular  motion 
to  their  body,  and  strike  the  water  forcibly  with  their  tail.  They  are 
excessively  voracious,  subsisting  chiefly  on  the  larvae  of  dragon-flies, 
ephmerae,  guats  and  other  insects.  When  the  time  of  their  transfor- 
mation approaches,  the  larvae  quit  the  water,  and  enter  the  earth  near 
the  banks  of  the  ponds  or  ditches  which  they  frequent.  Here  they 
form  a  cavity  in  the  form  of  an  oval  case,  in  which  they  undergo  their 
change  mto pupce,  and  afterwards  into  winged  insects. 

Thus  these  little  creatures  are  aquatic  animals  in  the  larvae  state, 
become  terrestrial  under  the  form  of  pupce,  and  amphibious  when 
perfect  insects. 


OF  THE  CARABUS,  OR    GROUND  BEETLE  TRIBE. 

THESE  insects  are  very  active  and  voracious,  devouring  the  larvae 
of  the  other  tribes,  and  indeed  all  the  smaller  animals  they  can  over- 
come. They  conceal  themselves  under  stones,  or  moss,  and  particu- 
larly under  such  as  happen  to  be  near  the  roots  of  old  trees.  Fre- 
quently, however,  they  are  to  be  seen  running  about  on  the  roads 
and  fields.  Some  of  the  species  are  destitute  of  wings. 

The  larvae  are  found  chiefly  in  decayed  wood,  or  under  the  ground, 
where  they  undergo  their  various  changes. 


THE     BOMBARDIER,    OR    EXPLODING    BEETLE. 

This  insect  conceals  itself  among  stones,  and  seems  to  make  little 
ase  of  its  wings.  When  it  moves  it  is  by  a  sort  of  jump ;  and, 
when  it  is  touched,  we  are  surprised  with  a  noise  resembling  the 
discharge  of  a  musket  in  miniature,  during  which  a  blue  smoke  may 


488 


BLISTERING   LYTTA,   OR   SPANISH   FLY. 


be  seen  to  proceed  from  its  extremity.  The  insect  may  at  any  time 

be  made  to  play  off  its  artillery,  by 
scratching  its  back  with  a  needle.  I? 
we  may  believe  Rolander,  who  first 
made  these  observations,  it  can  give 
twenty  discharges  successively.  A 
bladder  placed  near  its  posterior  ex- 
tremity, is  the  arsenal  that  contains 
its  store.  This  is  its  chief  defence 
against  its  enemies;  and  the  vapor 
or  liquid  that  proceeds  from  it  ia 
of  so  pungent  a  nature,  that  if  it 
happen  to  be  discharged  into  the 
eyes,  it  makes  them  smart  as  though 
brandy  had  been  thrown  into  them. 
The  principal  enemy  of  the  Bombar- 
dier is  another  insect  of  the  same 
tribe,  but  three  or  four  times  its  size. 
When  pursued  and  fatigued,  the 
Bombardier  has  recourse  to  this  strat- 
agem :  he  lies  down  in  the  path  of 
his  enemy,  who  advances  with  open 
mouth  to  seiae  him  :  but,  on  the  dis- 
charge of  the  artillery,  the  enemy 
suddenly  draws  back,  and  remains 
for  awhile  confused,  during  which 

the  Bombardier  conceals  himself  in  some  neighboring  ere  vice;  but,  if 

not  lucky  enough  to  find  one,  the  other  returns  to  the  attack,  takes 

the  insect  by  the  head,  and  tears  it  oft'. 


OF  THE  LYTTA  TRIBE. 

THE  antennae  of  the  Lyttae  are  of  equal  thickness  throughout;  the 
feelers  are  four  in  number,  unequal  in  size,  and  the  hind  ones  are 
elavate.  The  thorax  is  roundish:  the  head  inflected  and  gibbous. 
The  shells  are  soft,  flexile,  and  as  long  as  the  abdomen. 

THE  BLISTERING  LYTTA,   OB  SPANISH-FLY. 

in  the  south  of  France,  in  Spain,  and  in  Italy,  these  insects  are 

found  in  great  abundance 
about  the  time  of  the  summer 
solstice.  They  feed  on  the 
leaves  of  trees  and  shrubs, 
particularly  on  those  of  the 
privet,  lilac,  woodbine,  elder, 
poplar,  and  ash.  On  the  last 
named  trees  the^y  are  some- 
times seen  in  such  swarms,  as, 


VHI   BLUrtSRINO    LTTTA. 


THE   COMMON   EARWIG.  480 

in  a  little  while  to  deprive  them  entirely  of  their  verdure.  They 
always  prefer  the  young  trees  to  old  ones.  When  collected  in  great 
numbers  their  odor  becomes  very  disagreeable,  and  is  perceptible 
even  to  a  considerable  distance. 

In  order  to  collect  these  insects,  a  cloth  is  extended  round  the  foot 
of  the  tree,  and  they  are  shaken  upon  it.  They  are  then  taken  up, 
tied  in  a  bag,  and  killed  with  ttye  vapors  of  hot  vinegar.  After  this 
they  are  dried  in  the  sun,  and  placed  in  boxes  for  use.  The  fresher 
the  insects  are,  the  more  stimulating  is  the  action  of  their  blistering 
properties.  It  is  consequently  necessary  to  collect  them  as  shortly 
as  possible  after  they  have  attained  their  perfect  state. 


OF  THE  FORFICULA,  OK  EARWIG  TRIBE. 

IN  this  tribe  the  antennae  are  bristle-shaped;  and  the  feelers 
unequal  and  thread  shaped.  The  wing-cases  are  half  the  length  of 
the  abdomen,  and  have  the  wings  folded  up  under  them,  somewhat 
in  the  manner  of  a  fan.  The  tail  is  armed  with  a  forceps. 

The  Earwigs  undergo  only  a  semi-metamorphosis,  differing  in 
external  appearance  very  little  in  the  three  states 


THE   COMMON   EARWIG. 

It  may  not  perhaps  be  generally  known  that  the  Earwig  possesses 
wings  which  are  both  large  and  elegant, 
and  that  ono  of  these,  when  extended, 
will  cover  nearly  the  whole  insect.  The 
elytra  or  wing-cases,  are  short,  and  extend 
not  along  the  whole  body,  but  only  over 
the  breast.  The  wings  are  concealed 
oeneath  these,  and  are  somewhat  of  an 
oval  shape.  There  is  great  elegance  in 
the  manner  in  which  the  insect  folds 
them  beneath  its  elytra.  They  are  first 
closed  up  lengthways  from  a  centre  close 

.  1          1         °i-i  J      r>  i          /»  t  THE  EARWIO. 

to  the  body,  like  a  tan;  and  afterwards 

refolded  across  in  two  different  places,  one  about  the  middle  of  the 
membrane,  and  the  other  at  the  centre,  from  which  the  first  folds 
proceeded.  By  this  means  the  wing  is  reduced  into  a  small  compass, 
and  proportioned  to  the  size  of  the  case  under  which  it  is  to  lie. 

It  is  a  circumstance  extremely  singular,  that,  unlike  those  of  most 
others  of  the  insect  tribe,  the  eggs  are  hatched  and  tho  young  Ear- 
wigs are  fostered  by  the  parent.  At  the  beginning  of  the  month  of 
June,  M.  de  Geer  found  under  a  stone  a  female  Earwig,  accompanied 
by  many  little  insects,  which  evidently  appeared  to  be  her  own 
young.  They  continued  close  to  her,  and  often  placed  themselves 
under  her  belly,  as  chickens  do  under  a  hen.  He  put  the  whole  into 


490  THE   COMMON    EARWIG. 

A  box  of  fresQ  earth :  they  did  not  enter  the  earth,  but  it  was  pleasing 
to  observe  how  they  thrust  themselves  under  the  belly,  and  between 
the  legs  of  the  mother,  who  remained  very  quiet,  and  suffered  them 
to  continue  there  sometimes  for  an  hour  or  two  together.  To  feed 
them  this  gentleman  gave  them  a  piece  of  a  very  ripe  apple:  in  an 
instant  the  old  one  ran  upon  it,  and  ate  with  a  good  appetite;  the 
young-ones  also  seemed  to  eat  a  little,  but  apparently  with  much  le  s 
relish. 

The  Earwig,  though  in  its  nature  extremely  harmless,  except  to 
fruits  and  vegetables  in  our  gardens,  has  become  a  victim  to  human 
cruelty  and  caprice,  originating  in  a  notion  that  it  introduces  itself 
into  the  ears,  and  thence  penetrates  to  the  brain,  and  occasions  death. 
It  is  to  be  wished  that  females,  who  but  too  commonly  lay  aside  all 
ideas  of  tenderness  at  the  very  sight  of  it,  would  be  convinced  that 
the  wax  and  membranes  of  the  ears,  are  a  sufficient  defence  against 
all  the  pretended  attacks  of  the  Earwig  upon  this  organ. 

Our  gardeners  have,  it  is  true,  some  room  for  complaint.  It  lives 
among  flowers  and  frequently  destroys  them;  and,  when  fruit  has 
been  wounded  by  flies,  the  Earwigs  also  generally  come  in  for  a  share. 
In  the  night  they  may  occasionally  be  seen  in  amazing  numbers  upon 
lettuces  and  other  esculent  vegetables,  committing  those  depredations 
that  are  often  ascribed  to  snails  or  slugs.  The  best  mode,  therefore, 
of  destroying  them,  seems  to  be,  to  attend  the  garden  now  and  then 
in  the  night,  and  to  seize  them  while  they  are  feeding. 

The  bowl  of  a  tobacco-pipe,  and  the  claws  of  lobsters  stuck  upon 
sticks  that  support  flowers,  are  the  usual  methods  by  which  they  are 
caught,  as,  in  the  day-time,  they  creep  into  holes  and  dark  places. 
Placing  hollow  reeds  behind  the  twigs  of  wall-trees,  is  also  a  good 
mode,  if  they  be  examined  and  cleared  every  morning.  But  at  a 
midnight  visit  more  may  be  done  in  an  hour,  than  by  any  of  the 
}ther  means  in  a  week. 

The  male  and  female  Earwig  differ  considerably  in  their  anal  forceps; 
those  of  the  female  being  less  curved  and  destitute  of  a  tooth-like  pro- 
cess, which  is  observed  on  the  inner  side  at  the  base  of  the  forceps  of 
the  male. 

There  are  in  all  five  different  species  of  Earwigs,  one  of  which  called 
Labia  is  very  common,  and  of  smaller  size  than  the  one  we  have  just 
described.  It  is  found  about  hot-beds  and  dung-hills,  and  differs  from 
the  common  Earwigs  somewhat  in  its  habits  as  well  as  in  its  structure. 

The  common  name  given  to  the  Earwig  has  been  variously  explained. 
In  Scotland  it  is  called  Coachbell.  It  has  been  suggested  that  Earwig 
may  be  a  corruption  of  Earwing,  from  the  resemblance  in  shape  that 
its  wing  bears  to  a  human  ear — an  explanation  which  does  not  seem 
improbable. 


HEMIPTEROUS  INSECTS. 


OF  THE  BLATTA,  OR  COCK-ROACH  TRIBE. 

SOME  of  the  species  of  Blatta,  are  destitute  both  of  wings  and 
vring-cases.  Their  larvae  differ  but  little  in  their  general  appearance 
from  the  perfect  insects.  In  a  pupa  state  they  have,  between  the 
thorax  and  the  abdomen,  two  broad  and  flat  rings,  which  cover  much 
of  the  breast,  and  from  which  place  the  wings  afterwards  appear. 

A  few  of  these  insects  live  in  houses,  and  others  conceal  themselves 
in  holes  in  the  ground. 


THE   COMMON,   AND  THE  AMERICAN   COCK-ROACH. 

Both  these  insects  live  in  houses,  where  they  are  sometimes  very 
troublesome,  from  their  knawing  and  devouring  eatables,  leather, 
cloths,  woolen,  and  other  things  to  which  they  have  access.  The 
common  species  are  extremely  agile,  and  run  very  swiftly.  During 
the  day-time  they  conceal  themselves  in  holes  of  walls  and  clefts  of  the 
floors,  and  issue  forth  only  in  the  dark,  for  the  purposes  of  plunder 
and  devastation.  The  moment  they  perceive  a  light,  they  enisavor  to 
escape  into  the  places  of  their  retreat.  The  smell  of  these  insects  is  so 

Eowerful  and  unpleasant,  that  if  they  only  run  over  provisions,  they 
-equently  render  them  very  nauseous.     They  are  furnished  with 
wings,  but  their  agility  in  other  respects  is  so  great,  that  they  seldom 
use  them. 

The  Kakkerlac,  or  American  Cock-roach,  is  very  common.  In 
some  parts  of  South  America,  particularly  in  Surinam,  it  causes  great 
devastation  in  the  houses,  by  gnawing  the  stuffs,  cloths,  and  wool, 
apd  devouring  and  injuring  the  provisions. 

It  is  asserted  by  Reaumur,  that  the  American  Cock-roaches  have 
for  an  enemy  a  large  species  of  Sphex.  He  says,  that  when  one  of 
these  Spheges  encounters  a  Cock-roach,  it  seizes  it  by  the  head,  pierces 
it  with  its  sting,  and  then  carries  it  to  its  hole,  the  nidus,  where,  no 
doubt,  it  has  deposited  its  egg,  and  where  the  Cock-roach  serves  as 
nourishment  for  the  future  young-one. 

OF  THE  MANTIS  TRIBE. 

MANY  of  the  insects  of  the  present  tribe  have,  at  a  little  distance,  so 
much  the  appearance  of  leaves  of  trees,  that,  in  countries  where  they 

491 


402  THE   ORATOR   MANTIS. 

are  common,  travellers  have  been  struck  with  the  singular  phenomenon 
of  what  seemed  to  them  animated  vegetable  substances.  Their  most 
prevailing  color  is  a  fine  green,  but  many  of  them  become  brown 
after  they  are  dead:  some,  however,  are  decorated  with  a  variety  of 
lively  hues.  The  thorax  in  most  of  them  is  very  long  and  narrow, 
and  has  the  appearance  of  a  footstalk  to  the  large  and  rounded 
abdomen.  Their  manners  also,  in  addition  to  their  structure,  are 
very  likely  to  impose  on  the  senses  of  the  uninformed :  they  often 
remain  on  the  trees  for  hours  without  motion:  then  suddenly  rising, 
they  spring  into  the  air,  and  when  they  settle,  they  again  appear 
lifeless.  These  seem  to  be  stratagems,  in  order  to  deceive  the  cautious 
insects  on  which  they  feed. 


THE   ORATOR    MANTIS. 

This  is  a  very  widely -dispersed  species,  being  found  both  in  Europe, 

Asia,  and  Africa.  From  ita 
perpetually  resting  on  its  hind 
legs,  and  erecting  the  fore  pawa 
close  together,  with  a  quick 
motion,  as  if  in  the  action  of 
praying,  the  country  people, 
in  various  parts  of  the  conti- 
nent, consider  it  almost  as 
sacred,  and  would  not  on  any 
account  injure  it.  "It  is  so 
divine  a  creature,  (says  the 
translator  of  Mouftet,)  that  if 
a  child  has  lost  its  way,  and  inquires  of  the  Mantis,  it  will  point  out 
the  right  path  with  its  paw."  Dr.  Smith,  however,  informs  us,  in  hia 
tour  on  the  continent,  that,  he  received  an  account  of  this  Mantis  that 
seemed  to  savor  little  of  divinity.  A  gentleman  caught  a  male  and 
female,  and  put  them  together  in  a  glass  vessel.  The  female,  which 
in  this,  as  in  most  other  insects,  is  the  largest,  after  a  while  devoured 
first  the  head  and  upper  parts  of  her  companion,  and  afterwards  all 
the  remainder  of  the  body. 


OF  THE  GRYLLUS,  OR  LOCUST  TRIBE. 

ALL  these  insects  feed  chiefly  on  vegetable  substances.     The 
and  crysalids  nearly  resemble  the  perfect  insects:  they  have  six  legs, 
are  voracious  and  active,  and  reside  principally  in  the  ground. 

Their  heads  are  inflected,  and  armed  with  jaws  that  are  furnished 
with  foliform  palpi,  or  feelers.  The  antennae  in  some  species  are 
taper,  in  others  thread-shaped.  The  wings  are  four,  deflected  and 
convolute :  the  lower  ones  plaited.  The  hind  legs,  are  formed  for 
leaping ;  and  on  each  side  of  the  feet  are  two  claws. 


THE  MOLE  CRICKET — THE  HOUSE  CRICKET.       403 


THE  MOLE  CRICKET. 

This  little  creature,  among  the  insect  tribes,  is  a  complete  represen- 
tative of  the  Mole.  Its  fore-feet  are  broad  and  strong,  and  in  their 
formation  and  position  bear  a  great  resemblance  to  the  fore  feet  of 
that  animal.  They  are  used  for  precisely  the  same  purpose  of  bur- 
rowing under  thp  surface  of  the  ground,  where  the  insect  commonly 
resides;  and  so  expertly  does  it  use  them,  that  it  can  penetrate  tho 
earth  with  even  greater  expedition  than  the  Mole. 

The  female  of  this  species  forms  a  cell  of  clammy  earth,  about  the 
size  of  a  hen's  egg,  closed  up  on  every  side,  and  as  large  in  the  interior 
as  two  hazel  nuts.  The  eggs,  amounting  to  nearly  a  hundred  and 
fifty,  are  white,  and  about  the  size  of  caraway  comfits;  they  aro 
carefully  covered,  as  well  to  defend  them  from  the  injuries  of  weather 
as  from  the  attacks  of  a  species  of  black  Beetles,  which  often  destroy 
them.  The  female  places  herself  near  the  entrance  of  the  nest,  and 
whenever  the  Beetle  attempts  to  seize  its  prey,  the  guardian  insect 
catches  it  behind,  and  bites  it  asunder.  Nothing  can  exceed  the  care 
of  these  animals  in  the  preservation  of  their  offspring.  Wherever  a 
nest  is  situated,  fortifications,  avenues,  and  entrenchments  surround 
it:  there  are  also  numerous  meanders  which  lead  to  it,  and  a  ditch 
encompasses  the  whole,  which  few  other  insects  are  capable  of  passing. 

Mole  Crickets  are  troublesome  insects  in  hot-beds,  where  they 
make  great  havoc,  by  hacking  and  gnawing  the  roots  of  plants  witn 
their  fore-feet,  the  ends  of  which  are  armed  with  teeth  like  a  saw. 


THE   HOUSE   CRICKET. 

These  busy  little  insects  reside  altogether  in  our  dwellings,  and  in- 
trude themselves  on  our  notice,  whether 
we  wish  it  or  not.  They  are  partial  to 
houses  newly  built;  for  the  softness  of 
the  mortar  enables  them  without  diffi- 
culty to  form  their  retreats  between  the 
joints  of  the  masonry,  and  immediately  to  open  communications  with 
tl>e  different  rooms.  They  are  particularly  attached  to  kitchens  and 
bakehouses,  as  affording  them  a  constant  warmth. 

"  Tender  insects,  that  live  abroad,  (says  Mr.  White,)  either  enjoy 
only  the  short  period  of  one  summer,  or  else  doze  away  the  cold, 
uncomfortable  months  in  profound  slumbers;  but  these,  residing  as  it 
were  in  a  torrid  zone,  are  always  alert  and  merry:  a  good  Christmas 
dre  is  to  them,  what  the  heats  of  the  dog-days  are  to  others. 

"Though  they  are  frequently  heard  by  day,  yet  their  natural  time 
ol  motion  is"  only  in  the  night.  As  soon  as  it  becomes  dusk  the 
chirping  increases,  and  they  come  running  forth,  and  are  often  to  be 
seen  in  great  numbers,  from  the  size  of  a  flea  to  that  of  their  full 
•tature- 


THB   HOC81  CRICKET. 


404  THE   FIELD   CRICKET. 

"As  one  would  suppose  from  the  burning  atmosphere  which  they 
inhabit,  they  are  a  thirsty  race,  and  show  a  great  propensity  for 
liquids,  being  frequently  found  dead  in  pans  of  water,  milk,  broth,  or 
the.  like.  Whatever  is  moist  they  are  fond  of,  and  therefore  they  often 
gnaw  holes  in  wet  woolen  stockings  and  aprons,  that  are  hung  to  the 
fire.  These  Crickets  are  not  only  very  thirsty  but  very  voracious; 
for  they  will  eat  the  scummings  of  pots,  yeast,  salt,  and  crumbs  of 
bread;  and  kitchen  oflal  or  sweepings  of  almost  every  description. 

"In  the  summer  they  have  been  observed  to  fly$  when  it  became 
dusk,  out  of  the  windows,  and  over  the  neigboring  roofs.  This  feat 
of  activity  accounts  for  the  sudden  manner  in  which  they  often  leave 
their  haunts,  as  it  does  also  for  the  method  by  which  they  come  to 
houses,  where  they  were  not  known  before.  It  is  remarkable,  that 
many  sorts  of  insects  seem  never  to  use  their  wings,  but  when  they 
wish  to  shift  their  quarters  and  settle  new  colonies.  When  in  the  air. 
they  move  in  waves  or  curves,  like  woodpeckers,  opening  and  shut- 
ting their  wings  at  every  stroke,  and  thus  are  always  rising  or 
sinking.  When  their  numbers  increase  to  a  great  degree,  they 
become  pests,  flying  into  the  candles,  and  dashing  into  people's  faces. 
In  families,  at  such  times,  they  are,  like  Pharoah's  plague  of  Frogs, 
*  in  their  bed-chambers,  and  upon  their  beds,  and  in  their  ovens,  and 
in  their  kneading  troughs.1 

"Cats  catch  Hearth -crickets,  and  playing  with  them  as  they  do  with 
mice,  devour  them.  Crickets  may  be  destroyed  like  Wasps,  by  phials 
half  filled  with  beer,  or  any  liquid,  and  set  in  their  haunts ;  for,  being 
always  eager  to  drink,  they  will  crowd  in  till  the  bottles  are  fulL" 
A  popular  prejudice,  however,  frequently  prevents  any  attempts 
at  their  destruction;  many  people  imagining  that  their  presence  is 
attended  with  good  luck,  and  that  to  kill  or  drive  them  away  will 
bring  some  misfortune  on  the  family. 

When  these  insects  are  running  about  a  room  in  the  dark,  if  they 
t«e  surprised  by  a  candle,  they  give  two  or  three  shrill  notes.  These 
seem  a  signal  to  their  fellows  that  they  may  escape  to  their  crannies 
and  lurking  holes,  for  the  purpose  of  avoiding  danger. 

The  organ  that  produces  this  noise,  is  a  membrane,  which  in  con- 
tracting, by  means  of  a  muscle  and  tendon  placed  under  the  wings 
of  the  insect,  folds  down  somewhat  like  a  fan.  This,  as  it  is  always 
dry,  yields,  by  its  motion,  a  sharp  and  piercing  sound.  The  noise 
may  even  be  neard  after  the  insect  is  dead,  if  the  tendon  be  made  to 
move.  We  are  told  that  Crickets  will  live,  and  even  continue  their 
accustomed  noise,  for  some  time  after  their  heads  are  cut  off. 


THE   FIELD  CRICKET. 

Towards  sun-set  is  the  time  when  the  Field  Crickets  begin  to 
appear  out  of  theii  subterraneous  habitations.  They  are,  however, 
so  shy  and  cautious,  that  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  get  a  sight  of  them, 
for  feeling  a  person's  footsteps  as  he  advances,  they  stop  short  in  the 


THE   MIGRATORY  LOCUST.  495 

midst  of  their  song,  and  retire  backward  nimbly  into  their  burro  wa, 
where  they  lurk  till  all  suspicion  of  danger  is  over. 

It  is  remarkable,  that,  though  these  insects  are  furnished  with  long 
legs  behind,  and  brawny  thighs  adapted  for  leaping,  yet,  when  driven 
from  their  holes,  they  show  no  activity,  but  crawl  along  in  so  lifeless 
a  manner  as  easily  to  be  caught.  And  though  they  are  provided  with 
a  curious  apparatus  of  wings,  yet  they  never  exert  them,  even  when 
th:ro  seems  to  be  the  greatest  occasion.  The  males  only  make  their 
shrill  noise,  perhaps  out  of  rivalry  and  emulation;  as  is  the  case 
with  many  animals,  which  exert  some  sprightly  note  during  then 
breeding-time. 


THE   MIGRATORY  LOCUST. 

Syria,  Egypt,  Persia,  and  almost  all  the  south  of  Asia,  are  subject 
to  a  calamity  as  dreadful  as  volcanoes  and 
earthquakes  are  to  other  countries,  in  being 
ravaged  by  those  clouds  of  Locusts,  so  often 
mentioned  by  travellers.  The  quantity  of 
these  insects  is  incredible  to  all,  who  have 
not  themselves  witnessed  their  astonishing 
numbers:  the  whole  earth  is  covered  with 
them,  for  the  space  of  several  leagues.  The 
noise  they  make  in  browsing  on  the  trees  and 
herbage,  may  be  heard  at  a  great  distance, 
and  somewhat  resembles  that  of  an  army 
foraging  in  secret.  The  Tartars  themselves  are  a  less  destructive 
enemy  than  these  animals.  One  would  imagine,  wherever  they  have 
been  seen,  that  fire  had  followed  their  progress.  Wherever  their 
myriads  spread,  the  verdure  of  the  country  disappears,  as  if  a  curtain 
had  been  removed  :  trees  and  plants  are  stripped  of  their  leaves,  and 
are  reduced  to  their  naked  boughs  and  stems;  so  that  the  dreary 
image  of  winter  succeeds,  almost  in  an  instant,  to  the  rich  scenery  of 
the  spring.  When  these  clouds  of  Locusts  take  their  flight,  the 
heavens  may  sometimes  literally  be  said  to  be  obscured  by  them. 
Happily  this  calamity  is  not  frequently  repeated  ;  for  it  is  the  inevi- 
table forerunner  of  famine.  The  inhabitants  of  Syria  have  remarked, 
that  Locusts  are  always  increased  by  too  mild  winters,  and  that  they 
contantly  come  from  the  desert  of  Arabia.  From  this  observation  it 
is  easy  to  conceive,  that,  the  cold  not  having  been  rigorous  enough  to 
destroy  their  eggs,  they  multiply  suddenly;  and,  the  herbage  failing 
them  in  the  immense  plains  of  the  desert,  innumerable  legions  issue 
forth.  When  they  make  their  first  appearance  on  the  frontiers  of  the 
cultivated  country,  the  inhabitants  attempt  to  drive  them  offj  by  rais- 
ing large  clouds  of  smoke  ;  but  frequently  their  herbs  and  wet  straw 
fail  them.  They  then  dig  trenches,  where  numbers  of  the  insects  are 
buried  :  but  the  most  efficacious  destroyers  are  the  south  and  south 
easterly  winds,  and  the  Locust-eating  Thrushes.  These  birds  follow 
them  in  numerous  flocks  like  Sterlings,  and  not  only  greedily  devour 


„  M011ATORT 


496  THE   AMERICAN   LOCUST. 

them,  but  kill  as  many  as  they  can:  accordingly  they  are  mucb 
respected  by  the  peasants,  and  nobody  is  allowed  to  shoot  them.  As 
10  the  southerly  and  south-easterly  winds,  they  drive  with  violence 
these  clouds  of  Locusts  over  the  Mediterranean,  where  such  quantities 
of  them  are  sometimes  drowned,  that,  when  their  bodies  are  thrown 
on  the  shore,  they  infect  the  air  for  several  days. 

OF  THE  CICADA  IN  GENERAL. 

THESE  insects  are  found  in  various  parts  both  of  the  New  and  Old 
Continent,  where  they  subsist 
almost  wholly  on  the  leaves 
of  trees  and  on  other  vege- 
table substances.  They  are 
furnished  with  a  hard  and 
horny  proboscis  cr  tube,  in 
which  is  contained  a  very 
slender  sucking-pipe.  The 
former  is  not  much  unlike  a 

gimlet  in  form,  and  is  used  by  them  in  boring  through  the  bark  of 
trees,  for  the  purpose  of  extracting  their  juices.  With  this  proboscis 
they  also  bore  holes  in  the  small  and  tender  twigs  of  the  exterior 
branches,  in  which  they  deposit  their  eggs,  sometimes  to  the  amount 
of  six  or  seven  hundred.  Each  cell  does  not  contain  more  than  from 
twelve  to  twenty,  so  that  by  this  means  they  often  do  much  damage 
to  the  trees  which  they  frequent. 

The  chrysalids  of  these  insects  are  not  torpid,  like  those  of  many 
others;  but  have  six  legs,  and  differ  from  the  parent,  in  having  only 
the  rudiments  of  wings.  They  are  exceedingly  active,  and  in  general 
run  and  leap  about  upon  the  trees  with  great  sprightliness. 

The  Cicadae  of  the  hottest  climates  make  the  loudest  noise.  From 
the  papers  of  Mr.  Srneataman,  who  resided  a  considerable  time  in 
Africa,  it  appears  that  some  are  so  loud,  as  to  be  heard  to  the  distance 
of  half  a  mile ;  and  that  the  singing  of  one  of  them  in  a  room,  will 
iinmecKately  silence  a  whole  company.  Professor  Thunburg  says, 
that  one  of  the  Javanese  species  makes  a  noise  as  shrill  and  piercing, 
as  if  it  proceeded  from  a  trumpet. 

THE   AMERICAN   LOCUST. 

Thi?  species  of  Cicada  is  at  all  times  common  in  Pennsylvania, 
but  at  certain  periods  (generally  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  years)  the 
numbers  are  so  immense,  that  it  has  obtained  the  general  appellation 
of  Locust. 

Towards  the  end  of  April  these  insects  emerge  from  the  ground, 
and  their  appearance  is  always  to  be  predicted  by  the  swine  searching 
for  them.  The  swarms  are  sometimes  so  great,  that  in  the  places  from 
which  they  have  arisen,  the  earth  appears  nearly  as  full  of  holes  as  a 
honey-comb.  They  always  leave  the  ground  during  the  night.  On 
their  first  coming  out  they  are  in  the  chrysalid  state :  but  soon  after- 


THE   AMERICAN   LOCUST. 


497 


iH=-^==^r=^ 


wards,  the  back  bursts,  and  the  flying  insects  disengage  themselves 
from  their  case.  For  a  little  while  they  are  entirely  white,  with  red 
eyes,  and  seem  very  weak  and  tender ;  but,  by  the  next  day,  they 


498  THE   BED-BUG. 

attain  their  full  strength  and  perfection,  being  of  a  dark  brown  color, 
with  four  finely  variegated  transparent  wings. 

Shortly  after  they  have  attained  their  perfect  state,  these  insect* 
always  spread  themselves  over  the  country  for  many  miles  round. 
They  are  excessively  voracious,  and  do  infinite  damage,  in  their 
periodical  swarmings,  to  both  orchard  and  forest  trees:  and  were  it 
not  for  the  number  and  variety  of  their  enemies,  and  the  naturally 
short  duration  of  their  lives,  the  inhabitants  would  often  suffer  from 
them  all  the  horrors  of  famine. 


OF  THE  CIMECES,  OR  BUGS  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  rostrum  or  beak  of  the  Cimeces  or  Bugs  is  inflected ;  and  the 
antennae  are  longer  than  the  thorax.  These  insects  have  four  wings, 
folded  cross-wise,  the  upper  ones  coriaceous  on  the  upper  part.  The 
back  is  flat,  and  the  legs  are  formed  for  running. 

The  larvcR  differ  from  the  perfect  insects  in  little  else  than  the  want 
of  wings.  Many  of  them  infest  plants,  on  which  they  live,  and  on 
which  they  lay  their  eggs.  Several  of  the  species  are  voracious,  and 
spare  scarcely  any  other  insects  that  they  can  conquer.  They  glut 
themselves  with  the  blood  of  animals ;  destroy  caterpillars,  flies,  and 
even  beetles,  the  hardness  of  whose  elytra  would  seem  to  be  proof 
against  all  their  attacks ;  the  incautious  naturalist  may  also  himself 
sometimes  experience  the  severity  of  their  nature. 


THE   BED-BUG. 

The  Bed-bug,  which  is  a  nauseous  and  troublesome  inhabitant  of 
most  of  the  houses  in  large  towns,  is  singular  in  having  neither  wings 
nor  wing-cases.  It  runs  about  with  considerable  activity  in  the  night, 
to  suck  the  blood  of  persons  that  are  asleep,  hiding  itself  by  day  in 
crevices  and  other  retired  places. 

Their  most  favorite  food  is  blood,  dried  paste,  size,  deal,  beech, 
osier,  and  some  other  kinds  of  timber,  the  sap  of  which  they  suck ; 
and  on  any  of  these  they  are  able  to  exist.  They  will  not  feed  on  oak, 
walnut,  cedar,  or  mahogany ;  for  several  pairs,  which,  for  the  sake  of 
experiment,  were  confined  with  these  kinds  of  wood,  soon  died,  whilst 
those  kept  with  the  others  continued  to  live  through  the  whole  year. 

The  female  generally  lays  about  fifty  eggs  at  a  time.  These  are 
white,  and,  when  protruded,  are  covered  with  a  viscous  matter,  which, 
afterwards  hardening,  sticks  them  firmly  to  the  place  where  they  are 
deposited.  These  eggs  are  usually  hatched  in  about  three  weeks. 
The  general  times  of  laying  are  March,  May,  July,  and  September: 
so  that  from  every  female  Bug  that  out-lives  the  season,  as  many  aa 
two  hundred  young-ones  may  be  produced.  Thus  is  the  excessive 
increase  of  these  nauseous  animals  to  be  accounted  for,  where  proper 
care  is  not  taken  to  destroy  them. 


OF   THE  APHIDES,  OR   PLANT-LICE.  499 

The  young-ones,  for  sometime  after  they  first  escape  from  the  egg, 
are  perfectly  white,  but  they  generally  become  brown  in  the  course 
of  about  three  weeks.  In  eleven  weeks  they  are  at  full  growth. 
They  are  then  very  watchful  and  cunning  creatures ;  and  so  fierce, 
among  their  own  species,  that  they  will  sometimes  contend  with  the 
utmost  fury ;  and  in  their  combats  they  seldom  leave  off  till  either 
one  or  both  of  the  animals  are  killed.  Spiders  are  very  fond  of  them 
for  food. 

In  order  to  clear  a  house  of  Bugs,  the  leading  point  is  cleanlinesi 
in  every  respect;  for  this  is  their  greatest  annoyance,  and  by  this 
alone  their  increase  is  to  be  checked.  The  first  young-ones  begin  to 
burst  from  the  eggs  early  in  spring,  frequently  even  in  February. 
At  this  season  it  is,  that  the  greatest  attention  is  required.  The  bed 
infested  by  them,  ought  to  be  stripped  of  all  its  furniture,  which 
should  be  washed:  if  linen,  it  should  be  boiled;  and  if  stuff,  it  should 
be  hotpressed.  The  bedstead  should  be  taken  in  pieces,  dusted,  and 
washed  with  spirit  of  wine,  or  corrosive  sublimate,  in  all  the  joints  and 
crevice? ;  for  it  is  in  these  parts,  principally,  that  the  females  deposit 
their  eggs.  This  done,  all  the  cavities  should  be  well  filled  with  the 
best  soft  soap,  mixed  up  with  verdigrease  and  Scotch  snuff.  On  this 
composition  the  young  will  immediately  feed  after  leaving  the  egg, 
(if  any  escape  the  cleansing,)  and  will  be  destroyed,  as  will  also  such 
of  the  old  ones  as  happen  to  be  left. 

Bugs  abound  in  the  countries  of  nearly  all  hot  climates,  whence 
most  of  our  merchant-vessels  are  over-run  with  them.  This  accounts 
for  their  extreme  numbers  in  all  the  seaport  cities  and  towns,  being 
conveyed  thither  in  clothes,  packages,  &c.  Hence  appears  the  great 
necessity  of  examining  carefully  every  thing  brought  from  such  ves- 
sels into  the  houses. 

Deal  and  beech  boards  should  be  removed,  as  should  also  every 
thing  that  is  fixed  to  a  bed  by  means  of  paste,  as  these  afford  them 
both  shelter  and  food.  Oak  and  mahogany  are  probably  the  best 
kinds  of  wood  to  use,  as  the  closeness  of  their  texture  allows  the  ani- 
mals but  an  uncomfortable  situation. 

It  is  supposed  that  Bugs  do  not  altogether  lie  torpid  during  the 
winter,  but  that  in  the  cold  weather  they  require  less  nutriment;  and 
therefore  that  they  are  not  tempted  to  come  so  often  out  of  their 
retreats,  as  they  do  in  the  warmer  seasons  of  the  year. 


OF  THE  APHIDES,  OK  PLANT-LICE. 

THE  miaate  animals  which  compose  this  singular  tribe,  live  entirely 
on  vegetables,  and  the  loftiest  tree  is  as  liable  to  their  attacks  as  the 
most  humble  plant.  Their  numbers  are  often  incalculably  great.  They 
prefer  the  young  shoots,  on  account  of  their  tenderness,  and  frequently 
insinuate  themselves  into  the  very  hearts  of  the  plants,  doing  irre- 
parable mischief  even  before  they  are  discovered.  But,  for  the  most 
part,  they  beset  the  foliage,  and  are  always  found  on  the  underside  of 
the  leaf.  This  they  prefer,  not  only  on  account  of  its  being  the  most 
32 


500  THE   APHIS   OF   THE   ROSE-TREE. 

tender  part,  but  because  it  affords  them  protection  from  the  weather, 
and  from  various  injuries  to  which  they  would  otherwise  be  exposed. 
Sometimes,  though  rarely,  the  root  is  the  object  of  their  choice;  and 
ihe  roots  of  lettuces  have  been  observed  so  thickly  beset  with  one  of 
the  species,  that  a  whole  crop  has  been  rendered  sickly  and  or*  little 
value.  They  are  rarely  to  be  found  on  the  bark  of  trees. 

The  Aphides  afford  another  surprising  deviation  from  the  general 
laws  of  nature  ;  one  impregnation  of  the  female  is  sufficient  for  nina 
generations. 


THE  APHIS  OF  THE   ROSE-TBEE. 

This  insect,  which  is  well  known  by  the  name  of  Rost  Louse,  ia 
generally  of  a  green  color,  with  the  tip  of  the  antennae  and  horns  black. 
The  tail  is  pointed,  and  without  a  style. 

Towards  the  beginning  of  February,  if  the  weather  be  sufficiently 
warm  to  make  the  buds  of  the  rose-tree  swell  and  appear  green,  this 
'species  of  Aphis  will  be  found  on  them  in  considerable  abundance. 
They  are  produced  from  small,  black,  oval  eggs,  which  were  deposited 
in  autumn  on  the  last  year's  shoots.  If,  after  their  appearance,  the 
season  become  cold,  almost  the  whole  of  them  suffer,  and  the  trees, 
for  that  year,  are  in  a  great  measure  freed  from  them. 

Those  that  withstand  the  severity  of  the  weather,  seldom  arrive  at 
their  full  growth  before  April,  when,  after  twice  casting  their  skins, 
they  begin  to  breed.  It  then  appears  that  they  are  all  females;  each 
of  them  produces  a  numerous  progeny,  and  that  without  any  inter 
course  with  a  male  insect. 

If  the  Aphides  had  not  many  enemies,  their  increase  in  summei 
would  sometimes  be  destructively  great. 

After  a  mild  spring,  most  of  the  species  of  Aphis  become  so  numer 
ous  as  to  do  considerable  injury  to  the  plants  on  which  they  are  found. 
The  best  mode  of  remedying  this  evil,  is  to  lop  off  the  infected  shoots 
before  the  insects  are  greatly  multiplied,  repeating  the  same  operation 
before  the  time  that  the  eggs  are  deposited.  By  the  first  pruning,  a 
very  numerous  present  increase  will  be  prevented ;  and  by  the  second, 
the  following  year's  supply  may,  in  a  great  measure,  be  cut  off. 


OF  THE  COCCUS,  OR  COCHINEAL  INSECTS. 

THESE  are  an  extremely  fertile  race,  and  many  of  them  are  very 
troublesome  in  stores  and  green-houses.  The  females  fix  themselves, 
and  adhere  almost  immovably,  to  the  roots,  and  sometimes  to  the 
branches,  of  plants.  Some  of  them,  having  thus  fixed  themselves,  lose 
entirely  the  form  and  appearance  of  insects :  their  bodies  swell,  their 
skin  stretches  and  becomes  smooth,  and  they  so  much  resemble  some 
of  the  galls  or  excrescences,  found  on  plants,  as  by  inexperienced 
persons  to  be  mistaken  for  such.  After  this  change,  the  abdomen 


THE   LAC   COCHINEAL — THE   AMERICAN   COCHINEAL.         501 

serves  only  as  a  kind  of  shell  or  covering,  under  which  the  eggs  are 
concealed.  Others,  though  they  are  likewise  thus  fixed,  preserve  the 
form  of  insects,  till  they  have  laid  their  eggs  and  perish.  A  kind  of 
down  or  cotton  grows  on  their  belly,  which  serves  for  the  formation 
of  the  nest,  in  which  they  deposit  their  eggs. 

The  males  are  very  different  in  their  appearance  from  the  females. 
They  are  furnished  with  wings,  and  are  small  but  active  insects. 

Most  of  the  species  of  Coccus,  which  infect  our  green-houses  and 
conservatories,  have  been  brought  over,  with  exotic  plants,  from  other 
dimates. 


THE   LAC  COCHINEAL. 

Around  the  edges  of  their  body  they  are  environed  with  a  sub- 
pellucid  gelatinous  liquid,  which  seems  to  glue  them  to  the  branch. 
The  gradual  accumulation  of  this  liquid  at  length  forms  a  complete 
cell  for  the  insect.  The  insect  is  now,  in  appearance,  an  oval,  smooth, 
red  bag,  without  life,  about  the  size  of  a  small  American  Cochineal 
insect,  emarginated  at  the  obtuse  end,  and  full  of  a  beautifully  red 
liquid. 

These  insects,  which,  in  the  East  Indies  have  the  name  of  Gum  Lac, 
are  principally  found  on  the  trees  of  the  uncultivated  mountains  on 
both  sides  of  the  Ganges,  where  nature  has  been  so  bountiful,  that, 
were  the  consumption  many  times  greater  than  it  now  is,  the  markets 
would  be  fully  suppled.  The  only  trouble  is  in  breaking  down  the 
branches  and  carrying  them  to  market. 

Stick  Lac  is  the  natural  state  of  this  production.  When  the  cells 
are  separated  from  the  sticks,  broken  into  small  pieces,  and  appear  in 
a  granulated  form,  they  are  called  Seed  Lac.  This,  liquified  by  fire 
and  formed  into  cakes,  is  Lump  Lac.  When  the  cells  are  liquified, 
strained,  and  formed  into  thin,  transparent  laminae,  the  substance  has 
the  name  of  Shell  Lac. 

Of  Shell  Lac  the  natives  of  Eastern  countries  make  ornamental 
rings,  to  decorate  the  arms  of  females.  They  also  form  it  into  beads, 
necklaces,  and  other  female  ornaments.  This  substance  was  formerly 
used  in  medicine,  but  it  is  now  confined  principally  to  the  making  of 
sealing-wax,  and  to  japanning,  painting,  and  dyeing 


THE   AMERICAN   COCHINEAL. 

This  Cochineal,  so  useful  to  painters  and  dyers,  is  a  native  of  South 
America,  where  it  is  found  on  several  species  of  Cactus,  particularly 
the  Cactus  Opuntia  or  Prickly  Pear-tree.  In  Jamaica  these  insects  are 
also  now  tolerably  common,  but  they  are  generally  understood  to  have 
b***n  introduced  from  America.  The  heavy  rains,  however,  to  which 
tne  \V  est  India  islands  are  subject,  often  render  the  industry  of  the 
natives  in  breeding  and  rearing  them  entirely  fruitless. 


LEPIDOPTEROUS  INSECTS. 


THE  present  order  contains  only  three  tribes;  the 
Sphinges  and  Moths.  These  are  all  produced  from  caterpillars,  by  a 
ehange  that  is  common  to  all  the  insect  species.  The  caterpillars  pro- 
ceed from  eggs ;  and  the  eggs  of  Butterflies  are  sometimes  so  numerous, 
that,  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  the  leaves  and  tenderest  stems  of  plants 
are  nearly  covered  with  them. 

Caterpillars  are,  in  general,  extremely  voracious.  Some  of  them 
eat  more  than  double  their  own  weight  in  a  day,  and  this  without 
suffering  any  inconvenience;  for  the  digestive  powers  of  all  animals 
are  proportioned  not  so  much  to  their  size,  as  to  the  duration  of  their 
lives. 

They  often  change  their  skin  without  much  altering  their  shape, 
till  at  last  they  assume  a  shape  very  different  from  that  which  they 
before  possessed.  They  have  now  the  name  of  Aurelia  or  Chrysalis  ; 
and  in  this  state  all  the  parts  of  their  future  form  are  visible,  but 
under  a  thick  shell :  and  these  are  so  very  soft  and  delicate,  that  the 
least  touch  discomposes  them. 

The  production  and  manners  of  these  animals,  afford  subject  both 
of  amusement  and  instruction. 

About  the  middle  of  summer  a  butterfly  deposits  from  three  to  four 
hundred  eggs  on  the  leaf  of  a  tree ;  from  each  of  these,  in  a  few  days, 
a  young  caterpillar  proceeds.  The  eggs  of  one  of  the  species  are  no 
sooner  hatched,  than  the  young-ones  begin  to  form  a  common  habita- 
tion. They  spin  silken  threads,  which  they  attach  to  one  edge  of  the 
leaf  and  extend  to  the  other.  By  this  operation  they  make  the  two 
edges  of  the  leaf  approach  each  other,  and  form  a  cavity  resembling  a 
hammock.  In  a  short  time  the  concave  leaf  is  completely  roofed  with 
a  covering  of  silk.  Under  this  tent  the  animals  live  together. 

About  the  beginning  of  October,  or  when  the  frost  commences,  the 
whole  community  shut  themselves  up  in  the  nest.  During  the  winter 
they  remain  immovable,  and  seemingly  dead;  but,  when  exposed  to 
heat  they  soon  discover  symptoms  of  life,  and  begin  to  creep.  They 
seldom  go  out  of  the  nest  till  the  middle  or  end  of  April.  When  they 
shut  themselves  up  for  the  winter,  they  are  very  small;  but,  after  they 
have  fed  for  some  days  in  spring,  upon  the  young  and  tender  leaves, 
they  find  the  nest  itself,  and  all  the  entrances  to  it,  too  small  for  the 
increased  size  of  their  bodies.  To  remedy  this  inconvenience,  these 
.creatures  know  how  to  enlarge  both  the  nest  and  its  passages,  by 
additional  operations  accommodated  to  their  present  state.  Into  these 
new  lodgings  they  retire,  in  order  to  screen  themselves  from  the 
Injuries  of  the  weather,  or  to  cast  their  skins.  In  fine,  after  having 
east  their  skins  several  times,  the  r>eriod  of  their  dispersion  arrives. 

502- 


THE   LARGE   WHITE   BUTTERFLY.  503 

From  the  beginning  to  nearly  the  end  of  June,  they  lead  a  solitary 
life.  Their  social  disposition  is  no  longer  felt.  Each  of  them  spins 
a  pod  of  coarse  brownish  silk.  In  a  few  days  they  are  changed  into 
chrysalids,  and  in  eighteen  or  twenty  days  more  they  are  transformed 
into  butterflies. 


OF  THE  BUTTERFLIES  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  antennae  of  these  insects  are  thicker  towards  the  tip  than  in 
any  other  part,  and  generally 
end  ia  a  knob.  The  wings, 
when  at  rest,  are  erect,  the 
upper  edges  meeting  together 
over  the  body.  They  are 
all  diurnal  animals. 

These  elegant  insects  feed 
on  the  nectar  of  flowers,  and 
on  the  moisture  which  exudes 
from  plants  and  trees,  which 
they  extract  by  means  of 
their  long  proboscis  or  ton- 
gue. Their  caterpillars  are 
sometimes  smooth,  and  some- 
times thickly  covered  with 
hair;  and  their  chrysalids 
are  naked,  and  attached, 
apparently  in  a  lifeless  state, 
to  trees,  or  other  substances,  by  filaments  proceeding  either  from  the 
tip  or  the  midle  of  their  bodies. 


THE   LARGE  WHITE   BUTTERFLY. 

This  is  a  common  species,  and,  in  its  caterpillar  state,  is  often  very 
destructive  to  our  cabbage  and  cauliflower 
plants.  The  caterpillars  seem  almost  con- 
fined to  these  vegetables,  on  which  they 
are  generally  to  be  found  in  great  numbers 
from  June  to  October.  The  Butterflies  first 
appear  on  wing  in  the  middle  of  May,  and, 
about  the  end  of  the  same  month,  they  lay 
their  eggs  in  clusters  on  the  under  sides  of 
cabbage-leaves.  In  a  few  days  the  caterpil- 
lars come  forth,  and  continue  to  feed  together  till  the  end  of  June,  wnen 
they  are  at  their  fu.ll  growth.  They  then  traverse  about  in  search  of 
some  convenient  place  to  fix  themselves,  where,  after  their  change, 
the  chrysalids  may  be  sheltered.  When  such  are  found,  they  each 
fasten  their  tail  by  a  web,  and  carry  a  strong  thread  of  the  same  round 


THE  CHRVBALID8  OF  BUTTERFLIES. 


THE   LARGE   WHITE   BCTTERFLT. 


504  THE  PURPLE  EMPEROR — PEACOCK   BUTTERFLY. 

their  body  near  the  head  ;  and  thus  firmly  secured,  they  hang  a  fe-w 
Lours,  when  the  chrysalis  becomes  perfectly  formed,  and  divested  of 
the  caterpillar's  skin.  In  fourteen  days  after  this,  the  Butterfly  is 
produced.  The  caterpillars  of  this  latter  brood  attain  their  growth, 
and  change  to  chrysalids  in  September,  in  which  state  they  remain 
through  the  winter,  till  the  beginning  of  the  following  May.  During 
this  time  we  often  see  them  hanging  under  the  copings  of  garden 
walls,  under  pales,  and  in  other  places,  where  they  can  have  tolerable 
shelter  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather. 

The  most  effectual  way  of  clearing  cabbage  and  cauliflower  plants 
of  caterpillers,  is  to  send  children  into  the  gardens,  to  pick  them  off 
and  destroy  them.  This  may  seem  a  troublesome  and  expensive 
mode ;  but  it  has  been  found  to  answer,  even  to  the  extent  of  clearing 
many  acres  of  field  cabbages. 


THE   PURPLE   EMPEROR. 

The  wings  are  indented  and  of  a  rich  brown  color,  with  a  blu« 
gloss,  and  have  a  whitish  interrupted  band  on  each  side.  On  the 
upper  part  of  the  under  wing  there  is  an  eye-like  spot. 

This  is  the  most  beautiful  and  most  interesting  of  all  the  British 
butterflies.  In  its  manners,  as  well  as  in  the  varying  lustre  of  its 
purple  plumes,  it  possesses  the  strongest  claim  to  our  attention. 

It  makes  its  appearance  about  the  month  of  July,  fixes  its  residence 
upon  the  summit  of  some  lofty  oak,  from  the  utmost  sprigs  of  which, 
in  sunny  days,  it  performs  its  aerial  excursions.  "In  these,"  continues 
this  writer,  "  he  ascends  to  a  much  greater  elevation  than  any  insect 
I  have  ever  seen;  sometimes  mounting  even  higher  than  the  eye  can 
follow,  especially  if  he  happen  to  quarrel  with  another  Emperor,  the 
monarch  of  some  neighboring  oak.  These  insects  never  meet  without 
a  battle,  flying  upward  all  the  while,  and  combating  furiously  with 
each  other:  after  which  they  frequently  return  to  the  identical  spriga 
from  which  they  each  ascended. 

The  caterpillar  is  green,  with  oblique  white  lines.  It  is  rough  on 
the  upper  part  of  the  body;  and  on  the  head  thore  are  two  spines.  It 
feeds  on  the  oak.  The  chrysalis  is  green,  has  two  horns,  and  is  some- 
what compressed. 

THE   PEACOCK   BUTTERFLY. 

The  caterpillars  of  this  butterfly  are  produced  from  eggs,  which 
have  been  deposited  in  the  spring  of  the  year 
on  the  nettle.  They  live  in  society,  and  are 
to  be  found,  throughout  the  early  part  of  the 
summer,  feeding  on  this  plant.  They  are 
black,  and  their  bodies  are  covered  with 
spines,  and  marked  with  numerous  small 
white  specks. 

Shortly  after  the  little  animals  first  see  the 


PEACOCK  Bcmmn.1. 


TUB   MARBU   FEIT1LLART. 


THE  MARSH   FRITILLARY.  505 

light,  they  begin  to  spin  for  themselves  a  large  and  commodious  web, 
into  which  they  flee  for  shelter  during  rainy  weather,  and  in  the 
night ;  and  under  the  protection  of  which  they  change  their  skins. 

When  they  have  attained  their  full  growth,  they  seek  out  some 
proper  place  where  they  can  safely  take  their  chrysalid  form.  In 
doing  this  they  suspend  themselves  vertically,  with  the  head  down- 
ward ;  and  the  chrysalis,  thus  suspended,  continues  for  about  twenty 
days,  about  the  end  of  which  time  the  insect  becomes  perfected, 
breaks  out  from  its  shell  and  flies  away. 


THE   MARSH   FRITILLARY. 

The  Marsh  Fritillary  is  a  small  butterfly,  not  measuring  more  than 
an  inch  and  a  half  across  the  broadest  part 
of  its  expanded  wings.  Its  color  is  a  brown- 
ish orange,  variegated  with  yellow  and 
black,  in  a  small  pattern.  The  under  sides 
of  the  wings  are  lighter,  and  chiefly  orange 
and  yellow. 

The  caterpillars  of  this  insect  are  to 
be  seen,  in  some  particular  situations,  in 
September,  in  great  abundance.  As  they 
increase  in  size,  they  go  abroad  in  search 
of  food ;  but  their  local  attachment  is  very  remarkable,  for  neither  the 
caterpillar,  nor  even  the  butterfly  will  stray  far  from  the  place  where 
it  was  bred.  Numbers  of  the  latter  may  sometimes  be  observed  on 
wing,  in  a  small  spot  of  swampy  or  marsh  land,  when  not  one  of  them 
is  to  be  met  with  in  any  of  the  adjacent  places.  As  they  fly  very  low, 
and  frequently  settle,  the  naturalist  has  no  difficulty  in  catching  them. 
The  caterpillars  are  generally  at  their  full  growth  about  the  last  week 
in  April.  They  now  suspend  themselves  by  the  tail  to  change  into 
chrysalids,  and  in  this  state  they  remain  about  fourteen  days.  Their 
mode  of  suspension  is  a  singular  instance  of  the  extraordinary  power 
of  instinct.  They  first  draw  two  or  three  small  blades  of  grass  across 
towards  their  top,  and  fasten  them  together  by  means  of  their  silk, 
then  hang  themselves  beneath  the  centre  of  these,  each  having  his 
own  little  canopy.  By  this  means  they  are  not  only  hidden  from  the 
Bight  of  birds,  but  in  a  great  measure  defended  from  the  injury,  which 
they  might  otherwise  sustain  from  windy  and  boisterous  weather. 


OF  THE  SPHINGES,  OK  HAWKMOTHS. 

THE  bodies  of  these  insects  are  usually  thick  and  heavy,  and  their 
wings  long  and  admirably  calculated  for  rapid  flight.  Some  of  them 
are  among  the  largest  of  the  Lepidopterous  Insects.  They  fly  for  the 
most  part,  early  in  the  morning,  and  late  in  the  evening.  They  hover 


506 


THE   DEATH  S   HEAD  HAWKMOTH 


over  flowers,  and,  without  settling  upon  them,  suck  out  the  nectarious 
juices  by  means  of  their  long  and  spiral  tongue. 

Their  caterpillars  are  large,  smooth,  and  without  hairs,  and  fur- 
nished with  a  single  erect  horn  near  their  posterior  extremity.  The 
greater  number  of  the  species  change  into  chrysalids  under  the  surface 
of  the  ground. 


THE  DEATH'S  HEAD  HAWKMOIB. 


THE  DEATH'S  HEAD  HAWKMOTH. 

The  name  of  this  moth  has  been  obtained  from  its  having  upon  the 

thorax  somewhat  the  appearance 
of  a  human  skull.  It  is  the 
largest  of  all  the  British  species, 
the  wings  of  the  females  measur- 
ing sometimes  more  than  five 
inches  in  extent. 

When  taken  into  the  haad, 
this  moth  makes  a  singular  kind 
of  noise»  by  striking  its  palpi 
against  the  tongue.  This,  by 
some  persons  has  been  compared  to  the  plaintive  squeaking  of  a 
mouse. 

Several  persons  have  attempted  to  feed  the  caterpillars,  for  the 

purpose  of  obtaining  speci- 
mens of  the  insect  in  its 
perfect  state.  But  although 
they  have  diligently  attended 
to  them,  and  the  insects  have 
completed  their  transforma- 
tion into  chrysalids,  I  have 
not  yet  heard  of  any  one,  who 
was  able  to  rear  them  up  to 
the  winged  state.  I  have 
myself  made  numerous  at- 


MATH'S HEAD  MOTH. 


tempts,  but  have  invariably  failed. 


OF  THE  MOTHS  IN  GENERAL 

THE  Moths  are  only  to  be  seen  flying  abroad  in  the  evening  and 
during  the  night,  which  are  their  times  of  feeding.  The  larvae  or 
taterpillars  are  in  general  smooth,  and  more  or  less  cylindrical :  they 
are  active  creatures,  and  prey  with  great  voracity  on  the  leaves  of 
plants.  Their  chrysalids  are  either  concealed  in  the  ground,  or  pro- 
tected from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather  by  a  silky  covering,  spun 
by  the  larvae  around  their  bodies.  In  this  state  they  are  either  simply 
>r  have  a  kind  of  hook  at  their  extremity. 


THE   SILKWORM 


507 


THE  SILKWORM,  SGGS  AND  BILK. 


THE   SILKWORM. 

The  Silkworm  is  found,  in  a  native  state,  on  mulberry- treoa,  in 
China  and  some  other  eastern 
countries,  whence  in  the  reign 
of  the  emperor  Justinian,  it 
was  originally  introduced  into 
Europe.  It  is,  however,  at  this 
time  become,  in  a  commercial 
view,  one  of  the  most  valuable 
of  all  insects;  affording  those 
delicate  and  beautiful  threads, 
that  are  afterwards  woven  into 
silk  and  manufactured  into  gar- 
ments in  almost  all  parts  of  the 
world. 

In  the  warmer  climates  of 
the  east,  the  Silkworms  are 
left  at  liberty  upon  the  trees; 

where  they  are  hatched,  and  on  which  they  form  their  cocoons:  but 
in  cooler  countries,  where  these  animals  have  been  introduced,  they 
are  kept  in  a  room  with  a  south  aspect,  built  for  the  purpose,  and  are 
fed  every  day  with  fresh  leaves. 

The  eggs  are  of  a  straw-color,  and  each  about  the  size  of  a  pin's 
head.  At  its  birth  the  larva  or  worm  is  entirely  black,  and  about  as 
long  as  a  small  ant ;  and  it  retains  this  color  eight  or  nine  days.  The 
worms  are  put  on  wicker  shelves,  covered  first  with  paper,  and  on  this 
with  a  bed  of  the  most  tender  of  the  mulberry-leaves.  Several  ranges 
are  placed  in  the  same  chamber,  one  above  another,  about  a  foot  and  a 
half  apart.  The  scaffolding  for  these  ranges  should,  however,  be  in 
the  middle  of  the  room,  and  the  shelves  not  too  deep.  The  worm  con- 
tinues feeding  during  eight  days  after  its  birth,  when  it  becomes  about 
the  fourth  of  an  inch  in  length :  it  then  experiences  a  kind  of  lethargic 
sleep  for  three  days,  during  which  it  casts  its  skin.  It  now  feeds  for 
about  five  days,  and  is  considerably  increased  in  size,  when  a  second 
sickness  comes  on.  In  the  next  ten  days  it  experiences  two  other 
attacks;  by  which  time  it  has  attained  its  full  growth,  and  is  some- 
what more  than  an  inch  in  length,  and  two  lines  in  thickness.  It  then 
feeds  during  five  days,  with  a  most  voracious  appetite;  after  which  U 
refuses  food,  becomes  transparent,  with  a  tinge  of  yellow,  and  leaves 
its  silky  traces  on  the  leaves  that  it  passes  over.  These  signs  denote 
that  it  is  ready  to  begin  the  cocoon,  in  which  it  is  to  undergo  its  change 
into  a  chrysalis.  The  animals  are  then  furnished  with  little  bushes 
of  heath  or  broom,  stuck  upright  between  the  shelves ;  they  climb  up 
the  twigs,  where,  after  a  little  while,  they  begin  the  foundation  of 
their  lodge,  and  are  five  days  in  spinning  the  cocoon.  They  generally 
remain  in  this  state  about  forty -seven  days. 


508 


THE   SILKWORM 


The  extei  :or  of  the  cocoon  is  composed  of  a  kind  of  rough  cotton 

like  substance,  called  floss  , 
within  this  the  thread  is  more 
distinct  and  even ;  and  next  to 
the  body  of  the  aurelia,  the 
apartment  seems  lined  with  a 
substance  of  the  hardness  of 
paper,  but  of  a  much  stronger 
consistence.  The  thread  which 
composes  the  cocoon,  is  not 
rolled  regularly  round,  but  lies 
upon  it  in  a  very  irregular 
manner,  and  winds  off  first 
from  one  side,  and  then  from 
the  other. 

In  the  course  of  six  or  seven 

WWUHB.  -  - 

days,  all  the  cocoons  are  gen- 
erally formed:  they  are  then  taken  from  places  where  they  had  been 
deposited,  and  divided  into  classes.  The  best  are  strong,  and  of  a 
pure,  unspotted  color.  Some  are  white,  and  others  yellow.  The  good 

ones  are  firm  and  sound, 
of  a  fine  grain,  and  have 
both  ends  round  and 
strong.  Those  of  a  bright 
yellow  yield  more  silk 
than  the  others. 

But  the  pale  ones  are 
preferred,  because  thej? 
take  certain  colors  better, 
and  because,  since  they 
contain  less  gum  than  the 
others,  they  lose  less  than 
those  in  boiling. 

Five  or  six  days  after 
the  cocoon  has  been  de- 
tached, the  birth  of  the 
moth  is  prevented,  as  the 
insect   would    otherwise 
pierce     the     shell,     and 
thereby   render   the   co- 
coon useless.   To  prevent 
this,  the  cocoons  are  put 
into   long,   shallow    bas- 
kets,   covered    up,    and 
baked  for  about  an  hour, 
in  a  heat  equal  to  that  of  an  oven  from  which  the  bread  is  just  drawn 
After  the  baking,  they  are  disposed  in  a  proper  manner  on  osier 
shelves,  distributed  into  stories,  two  or  three  feet  distant  from  each 
other. 

The  whole  thread,  if  measured,  will  be  found  about  three  hundred 


fc.    *    b.   BUTTERFLIES.     C.  THE   BOOS.      (1.    THE   PUPA.      6.    SILKWORM. 


SILKWORM  ON  A  MULBERRY   LEAF. 


THE   CLOTHES   MOTH.  509 

yards  long ;  and  it  is  so  fine,  that  eight  or  ten  threads  are  generally 
rolled  off  into  one.  For  this  purpose  the  cocoons  are  put  into  small 
coppers  or  basins  of  water,  each  over 
a  small  fire.  The  ends  of  the  threads 
are  found  by  brushing  them  over 
gently  with  a  whisk  made  for  the  pur- 
pose; and  in  the  winding  they  are 
fach  passed  through  a  hole,  in  an 
horizontal  bar  of  iron  placed  at  the 
edge  of  the  basin,  which  prevents  them 
from  becoming  entangled. 

A  fortnight  or  three  weeks  generally 
elapse  before  the  insect  within  the 
cocoon  is  changed  into  a  moth;  but 
no  sooner  is  it  completely  formed,  than,  having  divested  itself  of  its 
aurelia  skin,  it  prepares  to  burst  through  its  prison.  For  this  purpose 
it  extends  its  head  towards  the  point  of  the  cocoon,  and  gnaws  a 
passage  through  its  cell,  small  at  first,  but  enlarging  as  the  animal 
increases  its  efforts  for  emancipation.  The  tattered  remnants  of  its 
aurelia  skin  are  left  in  confusion  within  the  cocoon,  like  a  little 
bundle  of  dirty  linen. 

The  animal  thus  set  free,  appears  exhausted  with  fatigue,  and  seems 
produced  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  transmit  a  future  brood.  The 
male  dies  immediately  after  its  conjunction  with  the  female ;  and  she 
only  survives  him,  till  she  has  laid  her  eggs,  which  are  to  be  hatched 
into  worms  in  the  ensuing  spring. 

In  many  parts  of  Italy,  the  inhabitants  contrive  to  have  two  silk- 
harvests  in  the  year.  They  keep  the  eggs  in  very  cool  places ;  and, 
when  the  mulberry-trees  (after  having  been  stripped  entirely  of  their 
leaves  for  former  worms)  begin  to  bud  a  second  time,  they  expose  the 
eggs  to  be  hatched. 

During  the  whole  time  in  which  the  animals  continue  in  a  worm 
state,  the  utmost  care  and  attention  are  requisite,  as  they  are  ex- 
tremely susceptible  of  cold,  dampness,  and  unpleasant  smells. 


THE   CLOTHES   MOTH. 

The  larva  of  this  little  Moth  is  well  known  from  the  damage  it 
commits  in  woolen  cloth  and  furs.  These  substances  constitute  the 
principal  support  of  the  caterpillar,  and  therefore  the  parent  is,  by  its 
natural  instinct,  directed  to  deposit  its  eggs  in  them.  The  caterpillar, 
as  soon  as  it  quits  the  egg,  begins  to  form  for  itself  a  nest :  for  this 
purpose,  after  having  spun  a  fine  coating  of  silk  immediately  around 
its  body,  it  cuts  the  filaments,  of  the  wool  or  fur,  close  to  the  thread 
of  the  cloth,  or  to  the  skin.  This  operation  is  performed  by  its  jaws, 
which  act  in  the  manner  of  scissors.  The  pieces  are  cut  into  conve 
nient  lengths,  'and  applied,  with  great  dexterity,  one  by  one,  to  the 
outside  of  its  case ;  and  to  this  it  fastens  them  by  means  of  its  silk* 
Its  covering  being  thus  formed,  the  little  caterpillar  never  quits  it  but 


510  THE   MAY   FLY. 

in  the  most  urgent  necessity.  When  it  wants  to  feed,  it  puts  out  its 
head  at  either  end  of  its  case,  as  bests  suits  its  convenience.  When  it- 
wishes  to  change  its  place,  it  puts  out  its  head,  and  its  six  fore-legs,  by 
means  of  which  it  moves  forward,  taking  care  first  to  fix  its  hind  legs 
into  the  inside  of  the  case,  so  as  to  drag  it  along. 

It  lives  in  this  manner,  until  by  the  augmentation  of  its  size,  its  case 
becomes  too  small  for  the  body.  When  this  is  felt,  it  begins  by 
making  a  small  addition  to  one  end ;  then,  turning  itself  within  the 
case,  which,  in  the  middle,  is  always  wide  enough  for  that  purpose,  it 
makes  a  little  addition  to  the  other  end,  so  as  still  to  preserve  the 
widest  part  exactly  in  the  middle  :  and  in  a  similar  manner  it  makes 
every  successive  addition. 

The  progress  of  its  operations  may  be  easily  remarked,  by  trans- 
ferring it  from  cloth  of  one  color  to  that  of  another.  In  this  case 
every  fresh  addition  will  become  conspicuous,  by  forming. a  small  ring 
of  their  respective  colors  at  each  end,  as  they  are  used. 

When  the  case  wants  widening,  the  insect,  with  its  scissor-like  teeth, 
begins  by  making  a  slit  lengthways,  from  the  centre  to  one  of  the 
extremities.  This  opening  it  instantly  fills  up  with  a  thin  stripe  of 
wool  externally,  and  silk  internally,  in  the  same  manner  as  in  the 
other  parts.  It  afterwards,  at  a  little  distance  from  this,  makes  another 
slit  at  the  same  end,  which  it  also  fills  up ;  then  turning  itself  within, 
it  repeats  the  same  process  from  the  centre  to  the  other  end. 

After  having  changed  within  its  case  into  a  chrysalis,  it  issues,  in 
about  three  weeks,  a  small  winged  nocturnal  Moth,  of  silvery -gray 
color,  well  known  to  almost  every  mistress  of  a  family. 

It  may  be  useful  to  point  out  the  best  modes  of  preventing  the 
havoc,  which  these  insects  commit  in  our  wardrobes  and  furniture. 
The  smell  of  oil  of  turpentine  is  instantaneous  death  to  them ;  if, 
therefore,  the  goods  affected  by  them  be  put  into  a  close  place,  along 
with  a  saucer  or  other  open  vessel  containing  oil  of  turpentine,  the 
warm  air  raising  the  vapor  will  immediately  destroy  them.  Sometimes, 
if  the  caterpillars  be  old  and  strong,  it  may  be  necessary  to  brush  the 
clothes  with  a  brush,  the  points  of  which  have  been  dipped  in  the 
l.urpentine.  The  smoke  of  tobacco  also  kills  them ;  and  cloth  that 
has  been  steeped  in  a  decoction  of  tobacco-leaves,  will  never  afterwards 
be  affected  by  them. 


THE   MAY   FLY. 

The  May  Fly  is  the  largest  of  the  British  species.  In  the  month 
of  June  it  assembles  in  myriads  under  trees  near  waters,  and  dances 
away  the  few  hours  allotted  to  it,  ascending  and  descending  in  the  air, 
forming  mazy  circles,  and  giving  life  and  animation  to  the  loveliness 
of  a  balmy  summer  evening.  Their  larvae  are  the  favorite  food  of  the 
fresh-water  fishes,  as  are  also  the  flies  themselves.  They  are  more 
numerous  in  running  streams  than  in  standing  waters. ' 


NEUROPTEROUS  OSECTS. 


THE  insects  of  the  Linnean  order  Neuroptera  have  four  membrana- 
oeous,  transparent,  naked  wings,  in  which  the  membranes  cross  each 
other  so  as  to  appear  like  net-work.  The  tail  has  no  sting,  but,  in 
the  males  of  many  individuals,  is  furnished  with  appendices  like 
pincers. 


OF  THE  LIBELLUL^E,  OR  DRAGON-FLIES. 

The  mouth  of  the  Dragon-fly  is  armed  with  jaws,  generally  more 
than  two  in  number.  The  antennae  are  very  thin,  of  equal  thickness 
throughout,  and  shorter  than  the  thorax.  The  wings  are  expanded, 
and  the  tail  of  the  male  insect  is  furnished  with  a  forked  process. 

Few  of  the  insect  tribes  are  more  beautiful  than  these.  Their  colors 
are  various  and  brilliant :  we  observe  in  them  green,  blue,  crimson, 
scarlet,  and  white ;  and  even  in  some  individuals,  most,  if  not  all,  of 
these  colors  are  blended.  In  addition  to  the  beauty  of  their  colors, 
the  brilliancy  of  their  eyes,  and  the  delicate  texture  and  wide  expan- 
sion of  their  wings,  are  highly  deserving  of  notice  and  admiration. 

The  parent  insects  deposit  their  eggs  on  tji'e  surface  of  the  water. 
Thence  they  sink  to  the  bottom,  where,  in  duye  time,  they  are  hatched. 
The  larvae,  which  proceed  from  these  eggs',  are  active  inhabitants  of 
the  water ;  and,  furnished  with  forcipajtSd  jaws,  they  prey  with  the 
most  rapacious  ferocity  on  aquatic  ms'ects.  The  chrysalis  resembles 
the  larvae  in  every  respect,  except  yd  having  the  rudiments  of  wings. 

In  both  these  primary  states  the  insects  respire  water,  by  receiving 
and  ejecting  it  at  an  aperture  at  the  termination  of  their  bodies.  They 
are  occasionally  observed  to  throw  water  with  such  force,  that  the 
stream  is  perceptible  to  the  distance  of  two  or  three  inches  from  their 
bodies.  But  though  the  insect  thus  respires  the  water,  air  seems  to 
be  not  the  less  necessary  to  its  existence :  for,  like  other  insects,  th& 
whole  interior  part  of  its  body  is  amply  furnished  with  large  and 
eonvuluted  breathing-pipes ;  and,  externally,  there  are  several  small 
openings  destined  for  the  introduction  of  air. 


OF  THE  EPHEMERA,  OR  DAY-FLIES. 

THE  mouth  of  the  Ephemera  has  no  jnws,  but  is  furnished  with  four 
rery  short  thread-shaped  feelers.     The  antennse  are  short  and  thread 

611 


512  THE   CADEW   FLIES. 

shaped ;  and  above  the  eyes  there  are  two  or  three  large  steinmata. 
The  wings  are  erect,  (the  lower  ones  much  the  shortest,)  and  the  tail 
is  terminated  by  long  hairs  or  bristles. 

The  Ephemeras  differ  in  many  respects  from  all  other  insects.  Their 
lanw  live  in  water  for  three  years,  the  time  they  consume  in  preparing 
for  their  change,  which  is  performed  in  a  few  moments.  The  larva, 
when  ready  to  quit  that  state,  rises  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  and, 
instantaneously  freeing  itself  from  its  skin,  becomes  a  chrysalis.  This 
chrysalis  is  furnished  with  wings :  it  flies  to  the  nearest  tree  or  wall, 
and,  there  settling,  it  at  the  same  moment  quits  a  second  skin,  and 
becomes  a  perfect  Ephemera.  In  this  state  all  the  species  live  but  a 
very  short  time,  some  of  them  scarcely  half  an  hour ;  having  no  other 
business  to  perform  than  that  of  continuing  the  race.  They  are 
called  the  insects  of  a  day ;  but  few  of  them  ever  see  the  light  of  the 
sun ;  being  produced  after  sunset,  during  the  short  nights  of  summer, 
and  dying  long  before  the  dawn.  All  their  enjoyments,  therefore, 
seem  confined  entirely  to  their  larva  state. 

The  Ephemera  are  very  frequent  near  waters,  and  in  some  places 
they  multiply  enormously.  About  Laz,  in  Carniola,  a  province  in 
Germany,  we  are  informed  by  Scopoli,  that  they  are  so  numerous  in 
the  month  of  June,  that  they  are  used  as  manure;  and  if  each  farmer 
cannot  obtain  more  than  twenty  cart-loads,  the  harvest  is  considered  a 
bad  one. 

The  larvae  scoop  out  dwellings  in  the  banks  of  rivers.  These 
consist  of  small  tubes,  made  like  syphons,  with  two  holes,  the  one 
serving  for  an  entrance,  and  the  other  as  an  outlet ;  and  these  are  so 
numerous,  that  the  banks  of  some  rivers  are  observed  to  be  full  of 
them.  When  the  waters  decrease,  they  dig  fresh  holes  lower  down. 
The  flies  are  produced  nearly  all  at  the  same  instant,  and  in  such 
numbers,  as  even  to  darken  the  air. 

The  females,  aided  by  the  threads  of  their  tails,  and  the  flapping  of 
their  wings,  support  themselves  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  and,  in 
an  almost  upright  position,  drop  their  eggs  in  little  clusters  into  the 
water.  A  single  insect  will  sometimes  lay  seven  or  eight  hundred 


OF  THE  PHRYGANE^E,  OB  CADEW  FLIES. 

THE  mouth  is  furnished  with  a  horny,  short,  curved  mandible,  and 
four  feelers.  The  antennae  are  setaceous,  and  longer  than  the  thorax. 
The  wings  are  equal,  and  incumbent ;  and  tbe  lower  ones  are  folded. 

The  Phryganeae  are  to  be  observed,  during  the  spring  and  summei 
months,  flying  about,  or  resting  upon  the  grass  and  weeds  near  the 
borders  of  rivers,  streams,  and  ponds.  They  deposit  their  eggs  on 
aquatic  plants.  These  are  enclosed  in  a  glairy  matter,  as  transparent 
as  water,  and  of  the  consistence  of  jelly,  by  means  of  which  they 
firmly  adhere  to  the  place  where  they  have  been  deposited. 

Tne  larvae,  when  batched,  form  for  themselves  tubes  of  silk,  the 
iLtei  or  of  which  is  smooth  and  polished,  and  to  the  exterior  of  which 


THE   AMAZON- ANT.  513 

they  attach  fragments  of  different  substances;  thus  constituting  a 
strong  defence  against  the  attempts  of  their  enemies.  Some  of  the 
species  employ,  for  this  purpose,  bits  of  leaves,  straw,  grass,  or  rushes ; 
others  adopt  the  shells  of  small  aquatic  snails  ;  others,  grains  of  sand  ; 
and  others  employ  several  different  kinds  mixed  together.  They 
contrive  to  make  their  habitations  nearly  in  equilibrium  with  the  water, 
by  adding  a  bit  of  wood  when  too  heavy,  and  some  heavier  substance 
when  too  light. 


OF  THE  MYRMELEON,  OR  ANT-EATEK  TRIBE. 

THE  antennas  of  these  insects  are  about  the  length  of  the  thorax,  and 
thickest  at  the  tip.  The  mouth  is  armed  with  jaws,  teeth,  and  six 
feelers.  The  wings  are  deflected ;  and  the  abdomen  of  the  male 
terminates  in  a  forceps  composed  of  two  straight  filaments. 

The  Myrmeleons  constitute  a  tribe  of  insects,  which,  from  their 
extremely  singular  habits,  whilst  in  a  larva  state,  are  highly  inter- 
esting. 

The  larvce  are  hairy,  with  six  feet ;  and  have  strong,  exserted,  and 
toothed  jaws.  They  prey  with  savage  ferocity  on  ants,  and  some  of 
the  smaller  insects ;  and,  for  the  purpose  of  ensnaring  their  prey,  they 
form  a  kind  of  funnel  or  pit  in  light  earth,  at  the  bottom  of  which 
they  lie  buried. 

The  chrysalis  is  enclosed  in  a  little  ball  of  sand  or  earth,  the  particles 
of  which  are  agglutinated  together  by  a  viscid  matter,  which  the  larva 
mixes  with  it  previously  to  its  change. 


THE   AMAZOX-AXT. 

The  Amazon-ant,  however,  deviates  from  others  in  this  respect : — 
their' neuters  procure  auxiliaries  by  open  violence,  of  their  own  caste 
but  of  different  species.  When  the  beat  of  the  day  begins  to  lessen, 
and  exactly  at  the  same  hour  for  several  days,  they  quit  their  nest, 
and  advance  in  a  solid  column,  more  or  less  numerous  according  to 
their  population,  upon  the  ant-hill  they  mean  to  attack.  Into  it  they 
soon  penetrate,  notwithstanding  the  opposition  of  the  inhabitants, 
seize  the  larvae  and  nymphs  of  the  neuters  peculiar  to  the  invaded 
community,  and  transport  them  in  the  same  warlike  order  to  their 
own  garrison,  where  they  are  attended  to  by  other  neuters  of  their 
own  species,  who  have  been  either  metamorphosed  there,  or  brought 
as  captives  from  their  original  dwelling.  These  constitute  what  are 
called  mixed  ant-hills. 

Our  northern  species  differ  from  those  of  the  torrid  zone,  in  re- 
maining torpid  during  winter,  so  that  they  require  no  sustenance,  and 
accordingly  lay  up  no  store;  but  the  others,  which  continue  active, 
™ake  provision  for  the  evil  day.  Their  food  consists  of  fruit,  insects 
or  their  larvae,  dead  bodies  of  small  quadrupeds  or  birds,  and  sweets 
of  every  descripti  >n  within  their  reach. 


HYMENOPTEROUS  IXSECTS. 


OF  THE  CYNIPS,  OR  GALL-INSECT  TRIBE. 

THE  insects  of  the  Linnean  order  Hymenoptera  have  generally  four 
membranaceous,  naked  wings.  In  some  of  the  tribes  the  neuters,  and 
in  others,  the  males  or  females,  are  destitute  of  wings.  The  tail,  in  the 
females  and  neuters,  is  armed  with  a  sting. 

The  mouth  is  furnished  with  a  short,  single-toothed,  membranaceous 
jaw.  The  mandibles  are  horny  and  cleft,  and  the  lip  is  entire.  The 
feelers  are  four  in  number.  The  sting  is  spiral,  and  often  concealed 
within  the  body. 

Most  of  the  Gall-insects  are  produced  from  eggs  deposited  by  tho 
parents  in  the  tender  branches,  or  upon  the  leaves  of  trees  in  the 
spring  of  the  year;  others  live  concealed  among  the  leaves,  and  others 
are  bred  in  the  bodies  of  other  insects. 

Those  which  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  branches  or  leaves  of  trees, 
place  them  in  a  small  hollow,  which  they  form  by  means  of  an 
instrument  at  the  posterior  part  of  their  body.  Each  egg  is  fixed  to 
the  spot  by  a  kind  of  gluey  matter,  with  which  it  is  covered. 

The  juices  of  the  leaf  or  stem  overflow  by  the  small  vessels,  which 
are  opened  in  this  operation,  and  thus  form  a  gall  or  excrescence,  in 
which  the  egg  becomes  enclosed.  When  the  larva  is  hatched,  it  finds 
around  it  the  food,  that  is  necessary  for  its  subsistence.  It  gnaws  and 
lives  upon  the  substance  of  the  gall,  which  increases  in  bulk  and  con- 
sistence, in  proportion  as  its  interior  is  thus  destroyed. 

Some  of  these  galls  have,  in  their  interior,  either  only  one  cavity, 
in  which  many  larvae  are  enclosed  together,  or  many  small  cavities, 
having  a  communication  with  each  other;  some  have  many  separate 
cavities;  and  others  have  only  one  cavity,  which  is  occupied  by  a 
solitary  insect. 

When  the  larvae  have  attained  their  full  growth,  some  of  the  species 
eat  their  way  out,  and  drop  upon  the  earth,  in  which  they  bury 
themselves,  and  there  undergo  their  metamorphosis;  and  others  are 
transformed  within  the  galls,  and  leave  them  only  as  perfect  insects. 


OF  THE  TENTHREDO,  OR  SAW-FLY  TRIBE. 

THE  mouth  has  a  horny  curved  mandible,  toothed  within.  The  jaw 
is  straight  and  obtuse  at  the  tip,  and  the  lip  is  cylindrical  and  bifid. 
The  feelers  are  four  in  number,  and  filiform.  The  wings  are  tumid, 

614 


THE   ICHNEUMON   FLIES.  C13 

the  lower  ones  shorter  than  the  others.  The  sting  is  composed  of  two 
gerrated  laminae,  and  is  almost  concealed  in  the  body. 

This  insect  is  small,  of  a  yellowish  tinge,  and,  m  its  general 
appearance,  is  not  much  unlike  a  common  house-fly. 

By  means  of  the  saw  with  which  these  insects  are  supplied,  some 
of  the  species  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  buds  of  flowers,  and  others  in 
the  twicrs  of  trees  or  shrubs.  This  implement,  which  is  situated  m  the 
posterior  part  of  their  body,  is  formidable  only  m  appearance,  and 
ieems  destined  solely  to  the  purpose  of  depositing  their  eggs. 

The  larvae  have  from  eighteen  to  twenty-eight  legs.  They  subsist 
on  the  leaves  of  plants;  and,  when  full  grown,  some  of  them  bury 
themselves  in  the  ground,  and  others  form  a  nidus  between  the  leaves 
of  the  plant  on  which  they  feed,  and  within  it  change  to  a  pupa. 
Those  which  undergo  their  change  under  the  earth,  usually  remain 
there  during  the  winter,  the  perfect  insect  issuino-  forth  in  the  ensuing 
spring. 

OF  THE  ICHNEUMONS. 

THE  antennae  of  the  Ichneumon-flies  taper  towards  their  extremity 
aiid  consist  of 
more  than  thirty 
joints  or  articu- 
1  a  t  i  o  n  s  .  The 
rnouth  is  armed 
with  jaws,  and 
has  four  unequal 
thread-shaped 
feelers.  At  the 
extremity  of  the 

abdomen  there  is  THE  ICHNEUMOK  FLY.  THE  QADFLT, 

a     long     sting, 

having,  however,  no  pungent  property,  enclosed  in  a  cylindrical  sheatla 

composed  of  two  valves. 

The  larvae  of  all  the  Ichneumons  derive  nutriment  from  other 
insects.  The  female,  when  about  to  lay  her  eggs,  perforates  with  her 
sting  either  the  body  or  the  nidus  of  some  other  insect  or  caterpillar, 
and  deposits  them  there.  The  sting  of  one  of  the  species,  though 
extremely  fine,  is  so  strong  as  to  penetrate  through  mortar  and  plaster. 
The  food  of  the  family  to  be  produced  from  the  eggs  of  this  fly,  is  the 
larvae  of  wasps  or  mason-bees ;  for  the  parent  Ichneumon  no  sooner 
discovers  one  of  the  nests  of  these  insects,  than  it  fixes  on  it  and  in  a 
moment  bores  through  the  mortar,  of  which  it  is  built. 

Some  species  agglutinate  their  eggs  upon  caterpillars;  others  pene- 
trate the  bodies  of  caterpillars,  and  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  inside. 
When  the  larvce  are  hatched,  their  heads  are  so  situated  that  they 
pierce  the  caterpillars,  and  penetrate  to  their  very  entrails.  These 
larvae  suck  the  nutritious  juices  of  the  creatures- without  attacking 
their  vitals;  for  they  seem  to  be  all  the  time  perfectly  healthy,  aad 
33 


516  THE   SPHEGES — SAND-WASP. 

even  sometimes  are  enabled  to  transform  themselves  into  chrysalidn. 
"A  friend  of  mine,"  says  Dr.  Derham,  "put  about  forty  large  caterpil- 
lars, collected  from  cabbages,  on  some  bran  and  a  few  leaves,  into  a 
box  and  covered  it  with  gauze  to  prevent  their  escape.  After  a  few 
days  we  saw  from  more  than  three-fourths  of  them,  about  eight  or  ten 
little  caterpillars  of  the  Ichneumon  fly  come  out  of  their  backs,  and 
spin  each  a  small  cocoon  of  silk,  and  in  a  few  days  the  large  caterpil- 
lars died."  The  Ichneumons  performed  singular  service,  in  the  yeara 
1731  and  1732,  by  multiplying  in  the  same  proportion  as  the  cater- 
pillars. Their  larvae  consequently  destroyed  infinitely  more  of  these 
voracious  creatures  than  could  possibly  have  been  done  by  all  the 
efforts  of  human  industry.  Aphides,  or  Plant-lice,  and  the  larvae 
of  various  other  insects,  are  also  made  the  nidus  of  the  Ichneumon. 


OF  THE  SPHEGES. 

THE  antennae  in  this  tribe  consist  of  ten  joints  or  articulations ;  and 
the  mouth  is  armed  with  jaws.  The  wings  in  both  sexes  are  extended, 
and  do  not  fold  together.  The  sting  is  pungent,  and  concealed  within 
the  abdomen. 

Many  species  of  Sphex  are  common,  in  England.  They  are  chiefly 
found  in  woods  and  hedges;  and  their  larvae  feed  on  dead  insects,  in 
the  bodies  of  which  the  parent  Spheges  lay  their  eggs. 

Some  of  the  species,  like  Dogs,  dig  holes  in  the  earth  with  their 
fore-feet,  and  in  each  of  these,  after  having  deposited  their  eggs  in  its 
body,  they  bury  an  insect,  and  then  carefully  close  it  up  with  earth. 

There  are  no  insects,  which  display  greater  affection  for  their  off 
Bpring  than  these ;  nor  are  any  more  rapacious.  They  are  excessively 
fierce,  and,  without  hesitation,  attack  insects  much  larger  than  them- 
selves. Their  strength  is  very  great ;  their  jaws  are  hard  and  sharp, 
and  their  stings  are  armed  with  poison,  which  suddenly  proves  fatal 
to  most  of  the  creatures  with  which  they  engage.  The  Sphex  seizes, 
with  the  greatest  boldness,  on  the  creature  it  attacks,  giving  a  stroke 
with  amazing  force,  then  falling  off,  to  rest  from  the  fatigue  of  the 
exertion,  and  to  enjoy  the  victory.  It  keeps,  however,  a  steady 
eye  on  the  object  it  has  struck,  until  it  dies,  and  then  drags  it  to  its 
nest  for  the  use  of  its  young.  The  number  of  insects,  which  thia 
creature  destroys,  is  almost  beyond  conception,  fifty  scarcely  serving 
it  for  a  meal.  The  mangled  remains  of  its  prey,  scattered  round  the 
mouth  of  its  retreat,  sufficiently  betray  the  sanguinary  inhabitant 
The  eyes,  the  filament  that  serves  as  a  brain,  and  a  small  part  of  the 
contents  of  the  body,  are  all  that  the  Sphex  devours. 


OF  THE  SAND-WASP  TRIBE. 

THE  beak  is  conical,  inflected,  and  contains  a  retractile,  tubular 
tongue,  that  is  cleft  at  the  end.  The  jaws  form  a  kind  of  forceps,  and 
are  three-toothed  at  the  tip;  and  the  antennae  in  each  sex  are  thread 


THE    WASP   TRIBE THE   HORNET  517 

shaped,  with  about  fourteen  joints  or  articulations.  The  eyes  are  oval, 
and  the  wings  plain.  The  sting  is  pungent,  and  concealed  in  the 
abdomen. 

The  Sand-wasps  were  separated,  by  the  Eev.  Mr.  Kirby,  from  the 
Lost  tribe,  though,  in  their  manners  and  economy,  the  insects  of  each 
have  a  near  resemblance.  In  their  external  appearance,  however; 
there  are  characteristics  sufficient  to  admit,  with  great  propriety,  of 
two  genera. 


OF  THE  WASP  TKIBE. 

THE  mouth  is  horny,  and  furnished  with  a  compressive  jaw,  and 
four  unequal,  thread-shaped  feelers. 
The  antennae  are  filiform,  the  first 
joint  longer  than  the  rest,  and 
cylindrical.  The  sting  is  pungent, 
and  concealed  within  the  abdomen, 

The  Wasps,  like  Bees,  are  in 
general  found  in  large  societies; 
and  they  construct  curious  combs 
or  nests,  in  which  they  deposit 
their  eggs.  Some,  however,  are 
solitary,  and  form  for  each  young- 
one  a  separate  nest.  Thefr  larva 
are  soft,  without  feet,  and  are  fed 
with  the  nectar  of  flowers  or  honey, 

but  of  a  kind  very  inferior   to  that  collected  by  the  Bees.    The 
chrysalis  is  without  motion,  and  has  the  rudiments  of  wings. 

A  distinguishing  character  of  this  tribe  is  their  having  smooth 
bodies,  apparently  without  hairs,  and  their  upper  wings,  when  at  rest, 
folded  through  their  whole  length.  At  the  base  of  each  of  these  there 
is  a  scaly  process,  that  performs  the  office  of  a  spring,  in  preventing 
the  wings  from  rising  too  high ;  a  caution  of  some  importance  to  these 
carnivorous  insects,  which  pursue  their  prey  at  full  stretch  of  wing. 


THE   HORNET. 

it  is  chiefly  in  the  hollow  trunks  of  decayed  trees  that  the  Hornets 
form  their  nest.  They  live  collected  together  in  communities,  which 
consist  of  males,  females,  and  neuters  or  laborers.  Their  nest  is  of  a 
dirty  yellowish  color,  and  usually  constructed  under  the  shelter  of 
gome  outhouse,  in  the  hole  of  an  old  wall,  or  more  frequently  in  the 
hollow  trunk  of  some  decayed  tree.  The  hole  of  entrance  to  this  nest 
is  often  not  more  than  an  inch  in  diameter. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year,  those  of  the  females  which  have  survived 
the  winter,  are  reanimated  by  the  warmth  of  the  season,  issue  from 
their  hiding-places,  and  search  out  a  convenient  place  in  which  they 
can  establish  their  nest  When  this  is  found,  they  commence  their 


518  THE   COMMON   WASP. 

first  operation  by  forming  a  column,  of  the  same  materials  as  those 
which  are  afterwards  employed  in  the  other  parts  of  the  fabric,  but 
much  more  compact  and  solid.  This  column  the  female  fixes  in  the 
most  elevated  part  of  the  vault,  which  is  intended  to  contain  the  nest. 
A  kind  of  cover  is  next  formed,  and  then  a  small  comb  of  hexagonal 
cells,  with  their  openings  downward,  for  the  purpose  of  containing 
her  eggs  and  the  grubs  which  issue  from  them. 

The  eggs  are  soon  hatched,  and  the  mother  nourishes  her  offspring 
with  food  which  she  brings  to  them  from  abroad.  When  the  grul/a 
have  attained  their  full  size,  they  each  spin  a  silken  bed,  in  which 
they  undergo  their  metamorphoses  into  pupce,  and  afterwards  into 
perfect  or  winged  insects. 

The  insects  first  produced  are  the  neuters.  These  are  the  working 
insects,  or  laborers.  From  their  first  entrance  into  life  they  are 
occupied  in  the  work  of  constructing  cells,  and  in  the  duty  of  nour- 
ishing the  remaining  grubs. 

As  the  females  still  continue  to  lay  their  eggs,  the  family  is  conse- 
quently augmented;  and  the  nest  becoming  at  length  too  small!, 
necessity  requires  it  to  be  enlarged.  This  operation  also  falls  upon 
the  laborers. 

In  the  month  of  September  and  the  beginning  of  October,  the  brood 
of  males  and  females  quit  their  pupce  state.  All  that  are  left,  whether 
males,  females,  or  neuters,  are  generally  put  to  death  before  the  end 
of  October,  particularly  if  the  frosts  have  at  all  begun  to  be  felt.  The 
Hornets,  in  place  of  continuing  to  nourish  the  remaining  grubs,  are 
now  occupied  only  in  tearing  in  pieces  the  cells,  and  throwing  them 
out  of  the  nest.  After  this  period  both  the  males  and  the  neuters 
daily  perish  in  great  numbers;  so  that,  by  the  end  of  winter,  the 
females,  which  are  enabled  to  pass  that  season  in  a  torpid  state,  are 
the  only  ones  that  remain  alive. 

Thus  terminates  this  society,  of  which  the  greatest  population 
does  not  often  exceed  the  number  of  a  hundred  or  a  hundred  and  fifty 
individuals. 

The  combs  are  composed  of  a  substance  which  somewhat  resembles 
coarse  paper  or  old  parchment 

These  insects  are  extremely  voracious.  They  seize  upon  and 
devour,  with  great  eagerness,  other  insects,  and  frequently  even 
bees.  Their  size  gives  them  a  superiority  over  almost  all  the  flies 
which  they  attack ;  but  as  they  are  somewhat  slow  and  heavy  in  their 
flight,  these  are  frequently  able,  by  their  greater  agility,  to  escape. 


THE    COMMON    WASP 

The  nest  of  the  common  Wasp  is  always  formed  under  the  surface 
of  the  earth,  and  these  insects  not  unfrequently  occupy  with  it  the  for- 
saken dwelling  of  a  mole.  The  entrance  to  the  nest  is  a  passage 
usually  about  an  inch  in  diameter,  from  half  a  foot  to  two  feet  deep, 
and  generally  in  a  zigzag  direction. 

When  exposed  to  the  view,  the  whole  nest  appears  to  be  of  a  round- 


WASPS'  NEST. 


520  THE   COMMON   WASF. 

ish  form,  arid  is  twelve  or  fourteen  inches  in  diameter.  It  is  strongly 
fortified  all  round  with  walls,  in  layers,  formed  of  a  substance  some- 
what like  paper,  the  surface  of  which  is  rough  and  irregular.  In  these 
walls,  or  rather  in  this  external  covering,  two  holes  are  left  for 
passages  to  the  combs,  one  of  which  is  uniformly  adopted  for  entrance, 
and  the  other  as  a  passage  out.  The  interior  of  the  nest  consists  of 
several  stories,  or  floors  of  combs,  which  are  parallel  to  each  other, 
and  nearly  in  an  horizontal  position.  Every  story  is  composed  of  a 
numerous  assemblage  of  hexagonal  cells.  These T^ntain  neither  wax 
nor  honey,  but  are  solely  destined  for  containing  the  eggs,  the  worms 
which  are  hatched  from  them,  the  chrysalids,  and  the  young  Wasps 
until  they  are  able  to  fly.  The  combs  are  from  eleven  to  twelve  in 
number.  Reaumur  computed  the  number  of  cells  in  the  combs  of  a 
middle-sized  nest  to  be  at  least  ten  thousand  ;  and  as  every  cell  serves 
for  three  generations,  a  nest  of  this  description  would  annually  give 
birth  to  thirty  thousand  Wasps. 

The  different  stories  of  combs  are  always  about  half  an  inch  distant. 
By  this  arrangement,  free  passages  are  left  to  the  Wasps  from  one  part 
of  the  nest  to  another.  Each  of  the  larger  combs  is  supported  by  about 
fifty  pillars,  which  at  the  same  time  that  they  give  solidity  to  the 
fabric,  greatly  ornament  the  vehole  nest.  The  lesser  combs  are  sup- 
ported by  a  similar  contrivance.  The  Wasps  always  begin  at  the  top 
and  work  downward. 

In  the  republic  of  Wasps,  like  that  of  Bees,  there  are  three  different 
kinds  of  flies;  males,  females,  and  neuters.  The  greatest  share  of 
labor  devolves  upon  the  neuters:  but  they  are  not,  like  the  neuter 
bees,  the  only  workers ;  for  there  is  no  part  of  the  different  operations 
which  the  females,  at  certain  times,  do  not  execute.  Nor  du  the  males 
remain  entirely  idle.  The  neuters,  however,  build  the  nest,  feed  the 
males,  the  females,  and  even  the  young-ones.  But,  while  these  are 
occupied  in  different  employments  at  home,  the  others  are  abroad  in 
hunting-parties.  Some  of  them  attack  with  intrepidity  live  insects, 
*vhich  they  sometimes  carry  entire  to  the  nest ;  but  if  these  be  at  all 
large  they  transport  only  the  abdomen.  Others  make  war  on  the 
bees,  killing  them  for  the  honey  they  have  in  their  bodies,  or  plunder- 
ing their  hives  for  the  fruits  of  their  labor.  Some  resort  to  the 
gardens,  and  suck  the  juices  of  fruit ;  and  others  pillage  butchers*  stalls, 
from  which  they  often  arrive  with  a  piece  of  meat  larger  than  even 
half  of  their  own  bodies. 

When  they  return  to  their  nest,  they  distribute  a  portion  of  their 
plunder  to  the  females,  to  the  males,  and  to  such  neuters  as  have  been 
usefully  occupied  at  home.     As  soon  as  a  neuter  enters  the  nest,  it  is 
surrounded  by  several  Wasps,  to  each  of  which  it  freely  gives  a  por 
tion  of  the  food  it  has  brought.     Those  that  have  not  been  hunting 
for  prey  but  have  been  sucking  the  juices  of  fruits,  though  they  seem 
to  return  empty,  fail  not  to  regale  their  companions;  for,  after  theii 
arrival,  they  station  themselves  at  the  upper  part  of  the  nest,  and  dis 
charge  from  their  mouths  two  or  three  drops  of  clear  liquid,  which  aie 
immediately  swallowed  by  the  domestics. 

The  neuter  Wasps  are  the  smallest,  the  females  are  much  larger  and 


THE   COMMON   WASP.  521 

heavier  than  these,  and  the  males  are  of  an  intermediate  size  between 
the  two.  In  the  hive  of  the  Honey-bee  the  number  of  females  is  ex- 
tremely small;  but  in  a  Wasp's  nest  they  often  amount  to  more  than 
three  hundred. 

The  eggs  are  white,  transparent,  and  of  an  oblong  shape  ;  but  they 
differ  in  size,  according  to  the  kind  of  Wasps  that  are  to  proceed  front 
them.  At  the  end  of  eight  days  after  they  are  deposited  in  the  cells, 
the  grubs  are  hatched.  These  demand  the  principal  care  of  such 
Wasps  as  continue  always  in  the  nest.  They  are  fed  in  the  same 
manner  as  birds,  by  receiving,  from  time  to  time,  a  mouthful  of  food 
from  the  insects  which  have  the  care  of  them.  It  is  astonishing  to  see 
with  what  industry  and  rapidity  a  female  runs  along  the  cells  of  a 
comb,  and  distributes  to  each  worm  a  portion  of  nutriment.  In  pro- 
portion to  the  ages  and  condition  of  the  worms,  they  are  fed  with 
liquid  substance,  or  with  solid  food. 

When  a  worm  is  so  large  as  to  occupy  its  whole  cell,  it  is  ready  to 
be  metamorphosed  into  a  chrysalis.  It  then  refuses  all  nourishment, 
and  ceases  to  have  any  connexion  with  the  Wasps  in  the  nest.  It 
closes  the  mouth  of  its  cell  with  a  line  silken  cover.  This  operation 
is  completed  in  three  or  four  hours,  and  the  animal  remains  a  chrysalis 
nine  or  ten  days.  After  this  it  destroys,  with  its  teeth,  the  external 
cover  of  the  cell,  and  issues  forth  a  winged  insect,  which  is  either  male, 
female,  or  neuter,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  egg  from  which  it  was 
hatched.  In  a  short  time  the  Wasps  newly  transformed  receive  the 
food  that  is  brought  to  them  by  the  foragers  from  the  fields.  What  is 
still  more  wonderful  is,  that  in  the  course  of  even  the  first  day  after 
their  transformation,  the  young  Wasps  have  been  observed  to  go  into 
the  fields,  bring  in  provisions,  and  distribute  them  to  the  worms  in  the 
cells.  A  cell  is  no  sooner  abandoned  by  a  young  Wasp,  than  it  is 
cleaned,  trimmed,  repaired  by  the  old  ones,  and  rendered  in  every 
respect  proper  for  the  reception  of  another  egg. 

Cells  are  constructed  of  different  dimensions  for  the  neuters,  males, 
and  females ;  and  it  is  very  remarkable,  that  those  of  the  neuters  are 
never  intermixed  with  the  cells  destined  for  others. 

About  the  beginning  of  October,  every  nest  presents  a  strange  scene 
of  cruelty.  At  this  season,  the  Wasps  not  only  cease  to  bring  nour- 
ishment to  their  young-ones,  but  they  drag  the  grubs  from  their  cells, 
and  carry  them  out  of  the  nest,  where  they  are  either  killed  by  the 
Wasps,  or  perish  from  exposure  to  the  weather  and  deprivation  of 
food.  This  procedure  would  at  first  seem  a  strange  violation  of 
parental  affection ;  but  the  intentions  of  Providence,  though  they  often 
elude  our  researches,  are  never  wrong.  What  appears  to  us  cruel  and 
unnatural,  in  this  instinctive  devastation  committed  annually  by  the 
Wasps,  is  perhaps  an  act  of  the  greatest  mercy  that  could  have  taken 
place.  Wasps  are  not,  like  the  Honey-bees,  endowed  with  the  instinct 
of  laying  up  a  store  of  provisions  for  winter  If  not  prematurely 
destroyed  by  their  parents,  the  young-ones  must  necessarily  die  a  crue* 
and  lingering  death,  occasioned  by  hunger.  Hence  this  seemingly 
harsh  conduct  in  the  economy  of  Wasps,  instead  of  affording  an 


522  THE   WOOD-PIERCING   BEE. 

exception  to  the  universal  benevolence  and  wisdom  of  nature,  is,  in 
reality,  a  most  merciful  effort  of  instinct. 

Like  the  male  Honey-bees,  the  male  Wasps  are  destitute  of  stings, 
but  the  females  and  neuters  have  stings,  the  poisonous  liquor  of  which, 
when  introduced  into  any  part  of  the  human  body,  excites  inflamma- 
tion, and  creates  a  considerable  degree  of  pain.  Their  sting  consists 
of  a  hollow  and  very  sharp-pointed  tube,  having  at  its  root  a  bag  of 
pungent  juice,  which,  in  the  act  of  stinging,  is  pressed  out,  and 
conveyed  through  the  tube  into  the  flesh.  There  are  also  two  small, 
sharp,  and  bearded  spears,  lying,  as  in  a  sheath,  within  the  tube.  Dr. 
Derham  counted,  on  the  side  of  each  spear,  eight  beards,  which,  he 
says,  were  formed  somewhat  like  the  beards  of  fish-hooks.  These 
spears  lie  one  with  its  points  a  little  before  the  other  in  the  sheath,  to 
be  ready,  in  all  probability,  to  be  first  darted  into  the  flesh ;  where, 
being  once  fixed,  by  means  of  its  foremost  beard,  the  other  then 
strikes  in  also ;  and,  in  this  manner,  they  alternately  pierce  deeper  and 
deeper,  their  beards  taking  more  and  more  hold  in  the  flesh ;  after 
which  the  sting  or  sheath  follows,  in  order  to  convey  the  poison  into 
the  wound. 


OF  THE  BEES  IN  GENERAL. 

THESE  insects  are  very  numerous,  and  differ  considerably  in  theii 
h&bits.  Some  of  the  species  are  found  in  extensive  communities^ 
which  construct,  with  the  utmost  art,  cells  for  their  offspring,  and 
repositories  for  their  food ;  while  others  both  dwell  and  work  in  soli- 
tude. The  whole  tnbe  live  on  the  uectur  of  flowers,  and  on  ripe 
fiuit. 

Their  larvae  are  soft  and  without  feet,  and  the  chrysalis  resembles 
the  perfect  insect. 


THE  WOOD-PIERCIXG   BEE. 

The  operations  of  the  Wood -piercers  merit  our  careful  attention. 
In  the  spring  of  the  year  they  frequent  gardens,  and  search  for  rotten, 
or  at  least  for  dead  wood,  in  order  to  make  a  habitation  for  their 
young-ones.  They  usually  choose  the  decaying  uprights  of  arbors, 
espaliers,  or  the  props  of  vines;  but  they  will  sometime  attack  garden- 
seats,  thick  doors  and  window- shutters. 

When  the  female  of  this  species,  (for  in  her  operation  she  receives 
no  assistance  from  the  male,)  has  selected  some  old  wooden  post  suited 
to  her  purpose,  she  begins  her  work  by  boring  perpendicularly  into 
it;  when  she  has  advanced  about  half  an  inch,  she  changes  her  direc- 
tion, and  then  proceeds  nearly  parallel  with  its  sides,  for  twelve  or 
fifteen  inches,  making  the  hollow  about  half  an  inch  in  diameter.  If 
the  wood  be  sufficiently  thick,  she  sometimes  forms  three  or  four  of 
these  long  holes  in  its  interior;  a  labor,  which,  for  a  single  insect, 


THE   HIVE   BEE.  523 

seems  prodigious;  and  in  the  execution  of  it  some  weeks  are  often 
employed.  On  the  ground,  for  about  a  foot  from  the  place  in  which 
one  of  these  Bees  is  working,  little  heaps  of  timber-dust  are  to  be 
seen.  These  heaps  daily  increase  in  size,  and  the  particles  that  com- 
pose them  are  almost  as  large  as  those  produced  by  a  hand-saw.  The 
strong  jaws  of  this  insect  are  the  only  instruments  of  perforation 
which  she  employs.  After  the  holes  are  prepared,  they  are  divided 
into  ten  or  twelve  separate  apartments,  each  about  an  inch  deep,  the 
roof  of  one  serving  for  the  bottom  of  another.  The  divisions  are  corn- 
posed  of  particles  of  wood,  cemented  together  by  a  glutinous  substance 
from  the  animal's  body.  In  making  one  of  these  she  commences  by 
gluing  an  annular  plate  of  wood-dust,  about  the  thickness  of  half-a 
crown,  round  the  internal  circumference  of  the  cavity:  to  this  plate  she 
attaches  a  second,  to  the  second  a  third,  and  so  on  till  the  whole  floor 
is  completed.  Before  each  cell  is  closed,  it  is  filled  with  a  paste 
composed  of  the  farina  of  flowers  mixed  with  honey,  and  an  egg  is 
deposited  in  it.  When  the  larva  is  hatched,  it  has  scarcely  room 
sufficient  to  turn  itself  in  the  cell ;  but  as  the  paste  is  devoured,  the 
space  is  enlarged  so  as  to  allow  the  animal  to  perform  every  necessary 
operation  towards  changing  its  state. 

In  a  range  of  cells,  the  worms  are  necessarily  of  different  ages,  and 
of  course  of  differert  sizes.  Those  in  the  lower  cells  are  older  than 
those  in  the  upper ;  because,  after  the  Bee  has  filled  with  paste,  and 
enclosed  the  first  cell,  a  considerable  time  is  requisite  to  collect  pro- 
visions, and  to  form  partitions  for  every  successive  and  superior  cell, 
The  former,  therefore,  must  be  transformed  into  nymphs  and  flies 
before  the  latter.  These  circumstances  would  almost  appear  to  be 
foreseen  by  the  mother;  for  if  the  undermost  worm,  which  is  the 
oldest,  and  soon  transformed,  were  to  force  its  way  upward,  which  it 
could  easily  do,  it  would  not  only  disturb,  but  would  infallibly  destroy 
all  those  lodged  in.  the  superior  cells.  But  Providence  has  wisely 
prevented  this  devastation ;  for  the  head  of  the  nymph,  and  conse- 
quently of  the  fly,  is  always  placed  in  a  downward  direction.  Its 
first  instinctive  movements  must,  consequently,  be  in  that  direction. 
That  the  young  Bees  may  escape  from  their  respective  cells,  the 
mother  digs  a  hole  at  the  bottom  of  the  long  tube,  which  makes  a 
communication  between  the  undermost  cell  and  the  open  air.  Seme- 
times  a  similar  passage  is  made  near  the  middle  of  the  tube.  By  this 
contrivance  as  all  the  Bees  instinctively  endeavor  to  cut  their  way 
downward,  tbpy  find  an  easy  and  convenient  passage;  for  they  havo 
only  to  pierce  the  floor  of  their  cells  in  order  to  make  their  escape, 
a:ul  this  they  do  with  their  teeth  very  readily. 


THE   HIVE   BEE. 

In  the  formation  of  their  combs,  the  present  insects  seem  to  resolve 
a  problem  which  would   not  be  a  little  puzzling  to  some  geometri 
cians,  namely :  "  A  quantity  of  wax  being  given,  to  make  of  it  equal 
and  similar  cells  of  a  determined  capacity,  but  of  the  largest  size  ii 


THE   HIVE   BEES. 


524  THE   HIYE    BEE. 

proportion  to  the  quantity  of  matter  employed,  and  disposed  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  occupy  in  the  hive  the  least  possible  space."  Every 
part  of  this  problem  is  completely  executed  by  the  Bees.  By  applying 
hexagonal  cells  to  the  sides  of  each  other,  no  void  spaces  are  left 
between  them;  and,  though  the  same  end  may  be  accomplished  by 
other  figures,  yet  such  would  necessarily  require  a  greater  quantity 
of  wax  than  these.  Besides, 
hexagonal  cells  are  best  fitted 
to  receive  the  cylindrical 
bodies  of  the  larvae.  A  comb 
consists  of  two  strata  of  cells, 
applied  to  each  other's  ends. 
This  arrangement  both  saves 
room  in  the  hive,  and  gives 
a  double  entry  into  the  cells 
of  which  the  comb  is  composed.  As  a  further  saving  of  wax,  and  for 
preventing  void  spaces,  the  bases  of  the  cells  in  one  stratum  of  a 
comb,  serve  also  for  bases  to  the  opposite  stratum.  In  short,  the 
more  minutely  the  construction  is  examined,  the  more  will  the 
admiration  of  the  observer  be  excited.  The  walls  of  the  cells  are 
so  extremely  thin,  that  their  mouths  might  be  thought  in  danger  of 
suffering  by  the  frequent,  entering  and  issuing  of  the  Bees.  To  prevent 
this,  the  Bees  make  a  kind  of  rim  round  the  margin  of  each  cell,  and 
this  rim  is  three  or  four  times  thicker  than  the  walls. 

It  is  difficult  to  perceive,  even  with  the  assistance  of  glass  hives, 
the  manner  in  which  Bees  operate  when  constructing  their  cells. 
They  are  so  eager  to  afford  mutual  assistance,  and  for  this  purpose  so 
many  of  them  crowd  together,  and  are  perpetually  succeeding  each 
other,  that  their  individual  operations  can  seldom  be  distinctly  ob- 
served. It  has,  however,  been  discovered  that  their  two  jaws  are  the 
only  instruments  they  employ  in  modelling  and  polishing  the  wax. 
With  a  little  patience  and  attention,  we  perceive  cells  just  began: 
we  likewise  remark  the  quickness  with  which  a  Bee  moves  its  teeth 
against  a  small  portion  of  the  cell.  This  portion  the  animal,  by  re- 
peated strokes  on  each  side,  smooths,  renders  compact,  and  reduces  to 
a  proper  thinness.  While  some  individuals  of  the  hive  are  lengthen- 
ing their  hexagonal  tubes,  others  are  laying  the  foundation  of  new 
ones.  In  certain  circumstances,  when  extremely  hurried,  they  do  not 
complete  their  new  cells,  but  leave  them  imperfect  until  they  have 
begun  a  number  sufficient  for  their  present  exigencies  When  a  Bee 
puts  its  head  a  little  way  into  a  cell,  we  easily  perceive  it,  with  the 
points  of  its  teeth,  scraping  the  walls,  in  order  to  detach  such  useless 
and  irregular  fragments,  as  may  have  been  left  in  the  work.  Of  these 
fragments  the  Bee  forms  a  ball,  about  the  size  of  a  pin's  head.  It 
issues  from  the  cell,  and  carries  this  wax  to  another  part  of  the  work, 
where  it  is  wanted :  it  no  sooner  leaves  the  cell  than  it  is  succeeded 
by  another  Bee,  which  performs  a  similar  office:  and  in  this  manner 
the  work  is  successively  carried  on,  till  the  cell  is  completely  polished. 

Their  mode  of  working,  and  the  disposition  and  division  of  their 
labor,  when  put  into  an  empty  hive,  are  very  wonderful.  They 


THE   HIYE    BEE.  525 

immediately  begin  to  lay  the  foundations  of  their  combs.  This  is  an 
operation,  which  they  execute  with  surprising  quickness  and  alacrity 
Soon  after  they  have  begun  to  construct  one  comb,  they  divide  into 
two  or  three  companies,  each  of  which,  in  different  parts  of  the  hive, 
is  occupied  in  similar  operations.  By  this  division  of  labor,  a  great 
number  of  Bees  have  an  opportunity  of  being  employed  at  the  same 
time,  and  consequently,  the  common  work  is  sooner  finished.  The 
combs  are  generally  arranged  in  a  direction  parallel  to  each  other 
An  interval  or  street  between  them  is  always  left,  that  the  Bees  may 
have  a  free  passage,  and  an  easy  communication  with  the  different 
combs  in  the  hive.  These  streets  are  just  wide  enough  to  allow  two 
Bees  to  pass  one  another.  Besides  these  parallel  streets,  the  Bees  to 
shorten  their  journey  when  working,  leave  several  cross  passages, 
which  are  always  covered. 

They  are  extremely  solicitous  to  prevent  insects  of  any  kind  from 
getting  admittance  into  their  hives.  To  accomplish  this  purpose,  and 
to  shut  out  the  cold,  they  carefully  examine  every  part  of  their  hive; 
and  if  they  discover  any  holes  or  chinks,  they  immediately  paste  them 
firmly  up  with  a  resinous  substance,  which  differs  considerably  from 
wax.  This  substance  was  known  to  the  ancients  by  the  name  of 
propolis,  or  bee-glue.  Bees  use  the  propolis  for  rendering  their  hives 
more  close  and  perfect,  in  preference  to  wax,  because  it  is  more  dur- 
able, and  because  it  more  powerfully  resists  the  vicissitudes  of  weather 
than  that.  This  glue  is  not,  like  the  wax,  formed  by  an  animal 
process.  The  Bees  collect  it  from  different  trees,  such  as  the  poplar, 
birch,  and  willow.  It  is  a  complete  production  of  nature,  and  requires 
no  additional  manufacture  from  the  animals  by  which  it  is  employed. 
After  a  Bee  has  procured  a  quantity  sufficient  to  fill  the  cavities  of  its 
two  hind  legs,  it  repairs  to  the  hive.  Two  of  its  companions  instantly 
draw  out  the  propolis,  and  apply  it  to  fill  up  such  chinks,  holes,  or 
other  deficiencies,  as  they  .^md  in  their  habitation.  But  this  is  not 
the  only  use  to  which  Bees  apply  the  propolis.  They  are  extremely 
solicitous  to  remove  such  insects  or  foreign  bodies,  as  happen  to  get 
admission  into  the  hive.  When  tlese  are  so  light  as  not  to  exceed 
their  powers,  they  first  kill  the  insect  with  their  stings,  and  then  drag 
it  out  with  their  teeth.  But  it  sometimes  happens,  that  an  ill-fated 
snail  creeps  into  the  hive.  This  is  no  sooner  perceived,  than  it  is 
attacked  on  all  sides,  and  stung  to  death.  But  how  are  the  Bees  to 
carry  out  so  heavy  a  burden '(  Such  a  labor  would  be  in  vain.  To 
prevent  the  noxious  odors  consequent  on  its  putrefaction,  they  imme- 
diately embalm  it,  by  covering  every  part  of  its  body  with  propolis, 
through  which  nc  effluvia  can  escape. 

But  propolis,  and  the  materials  for  making  wax,  are  not  :he  only 
substances,  which  these  industrious  animals  have  to  collect.  As, 
d  jring  the  whole  winter,  and  even  during  many  days  in  summer,  the 
Bees  are  prevented  by  the  weather  from  going  abroad  in  quest  of  * 
provisions,  they  are  under  the  necessity  of  collecting  and  amassing,  iu 
cells  destined  for  the  purpose,  large  quantities  of  honey.  This,  by 
means  of  their  trunk,  they  extract  from  the  nectariferous  glands  of 
flowers  The  trunk  of  the  Bee  is  a  kind  of  rough,  cartilaginous  tongue. 


526 


THE    HIVE    BEE. 


TflK  QUEEN   BEE. 


After  collecting  a  few  small  drops  of  honey  with  this,  the  animal 
carries  them  to  its  mouth,  ami  swallows  them.  From  the  gullet  they 
pass  into  the  first  stomach.  This  when  filled  with  honey,  assumes  the 
figure  of  an  oblong  bladder,  the  membrane  of  which  is  so  thin  and 
transparent,  that  it  allows  the  color  of  the  liquid  it  contains  to  be  dis 
tinctly  seen.  As  soon  as  their  stomach  is  full,  the  Bees  return  directly 
to  the  hive,  and  disgorge  into  a  cell  the  whole  of  the  honey  they  havo 
collected.  It,  however,  not  unfrequently  happens,  that  on  its  way  to 
the  hive  the  Bee  is  accosted  by  a  hungry  companion.  How  the  one 
manages  to  communicate  its  wants  to  the  other,  is  not  known.  But 
the  fact  is  certain,  that  when  two  Bees  meet  in  this  situation,  they 
mutually  stop,  and  the  one  whose  stomach  is  full  of  honey,  extends 
its  trunk,  opens  its  month,  and  like  a  ruminating  animal,  forces  up 
the  honey.  The  hungry  Bee,  with  the  point  of  its  trunk,  sucks  the 
honey  from  the  other's  mouth.  When  not 
stopped  on  the  road,  the  Bee,  as  before  stated, 
proceeds  to  the  hive,  and  in  the  same  mariner 
offers  its  honey  to  those  who  are  at  work,  as  if 
it  meant  to  prevent  the  necessity  of  their  quit- 
ting their  lalx>r  in  order  to  go  in  quest  of  food. 
In  bad  weather,  the  Bees  feed  on  the  honey  laid 
up  in  open  cells;  but  they  never  touch  their 
reservoirs,  while  their  companions  are  enabled  to  supply  them  with 
fresh  honey  from  the  fields.  The  mouths  of  those  cells,  which  are 
destined  for  preserving  honey  during  the  winter,  they  always  cover 
with  a  lid  or  thin  plate  of  wax. 

How  numerous  soever  the  Bees  in  one  swarm  may  appear  to  be 
they  all  originate 
from  a  single  pa- 
rent. It  is  indeed 
surprising,  that  one 
small  insect  should, 
in  a  few  months, 
give  birth  to  so 
many  young-ones; 
but,  on  opening 
her  body  at  a  cer- 
tain season  of  the 
year,  eggs  to  the 
number  of  many 
thousands  may  be 
found  contained  in  it. 

The  queen  is  easilv  distinguished  from  the  rest  by  the  size  an' 
shape  of  her  bodv.  On  her  depends  the  welfare  of  the  whole  com- 
munity: and,  by  the  attention  that  is  paid  to  all  her  movements,  it  ia 
evident  how  much  they  depend  on  her  security.  At  times,  attended 
by  a  numerous  retinue  she  is  seen  in  the  act  of  marching  from  cell 
to  cell,  plunging  the  extremity  of  her  body  into  each  of  them,  and 
saving  in  each  an  egg. 

A  day  or  two  after  this  egg  is  deposited,  the  grub  is  excluded  from 


TIIK   QCEEN    BEE    AND   PREGNANT  QVEKN   BBX. 


THE  DRONE  BES. 


THE   CARDING   BEE.  527 

the  shell,  having  the  shape  of  a  maggot  rolled  up  ic  a  ring,  and  lyint 
softly  on  a  bed  of  a  whitish-colored  jelly,  on  which  i  begins  to  feed. 
The  common  Bees  then  attend  with  astonishing 
tenderness  and  anxiety :  they  furnish  it  with 
food,  and  watch  over  it  with  unremitting  assid- 
uity. In  about  six  days  the  grub  attains  its 
full  growth,  when  its  affectionate  attendant? 
shut  up  the  mouth  of  its  apartment  with  wax, 
in  order  to  secure  it  from  injury.  Thus  en- 
closed, it  soon  begins  to  line  the  walls  of  i  a 
cell  with  a  silken  tapestry,  in  which  it  undergoes  its  last  transforma- 
tion. 

When  it  first  crawls  forth  a  winged  insect,  it  is  very  weak  an<l 
inactive;  but  in  the  course  of  a  few  hours,  it  acquires  strength  enough 
to  fly  off  to  its  labor.  On  its  emerging  from  the  cell,  the  officious 
Bees  flock  round  it,  and  lick  up  its  moisture  with  their  tongues. 
One  party  brings  honey  for  it  to  feed  upon  ;  and  another  is  employed 
in  cleansing  the  cell,  and  carrying  out  the  filth,  for  the  purpose  of 
preparing  it  for  a  new  inhabitant. 

The  neuter  Bees  in  a  hive  amount  to  the  number  of  sixteen  or 
eighteen  thousand.  These  are  all  armed  with  stings.  The  males  are 
called  Drones:  they  are  unarmed,  and  are  always  killed  by  the 
neuters,  about  the  month  of  September. 


THE   CARDING   BEE. 

This  Bee  is  yellow,  with  the  hair  of  the  thorax  somewhat  fawn- 
colored. 

Nearly  all  the  Carding  Bees  perish  in  the  win- 
ter: a  few  of  the  females  only  survive.  These 
usually  make  their  appearance  early  in  the  spring, 
as  soon  as  the  catkins  of  the  willows  are  in  bios* 
som;  upon  which,  at  this  time,  they  may  be  seen 
THE  CARDING  BISK.  collecting  \iouey  from  the  female,  and  pollen  from 

the  male  catkins. 

When  these  animals,  of  any  sex,  are  walking  on  the  ground,  if  a 
frnger  be  moved  to  them,  they  lift  up  three  legs  on  one  side,  by  way 
of  defence;  which  gives  them  a  very  grotesque  appearance. 

Their  nests  are  usually  formed  in  meadows  and  pastures,  sometimes 
in  groves  and  hedge-rows,  where  the  soil  is  entangled  with  roots;  but 
now  and  then  these  are  found  in  heaps  of  stones.  When  they  do  not 
meet  with  an  accidental  cavity  ready  made,  the  Carding  Bees,  with 
great  labor,  excavate  one.  This  they  cover  with  a  thick  convex  vault 
of  moss,  sometimes  casing  the  interior  with  a  kind  of  coarse  wax,  to 
keep  out  the  wet.  At  the  lower  part  of  the  nest  there  is  an  opening 
for  the  inhabitants  to  go  in  and  out  at.  This  entrance  is  often  through 
a  long  gallery,  or  covered  way,  a  foot  or  upwards  in  length,  by  which 
the  nest  is  concealed  from  observation. 

The  mode  in  which  they  transport  the  moss  employed  in  the  for- 


528       THE  HORSE  EMMET,  OR  GREAT  HILL-ANT. 

i nation  of  their  nest,  is  singular.  When  they  have  discovered  a  parcel 
fitted  to  their  purpose,  and  conveniently  situated,  they  place  them- 
selves in  a  line,  with  their  backs  turned  towards  the  nest.  The 
foremost  lays  hold  of  some  with  her  jaws,  and  clears  it,  bit  by  .bit, 
with  her  fore-feet.  When  this  is  sufficiently  disentangled,  she  drives 
it  with  her  feet  under  her  body,  and  as  far  as  possible  beyond,  to  the 
second  Bee.  The  second  pushes  it  on  to  the  third  and  so  on.  Thus 
small  heaps  of  prepared  moss  are  conveyed,  by  a  file  of  four  or  five 
insects,  to  the  nest,  where  they  are  wrought  and  interwoven  with  tha 
greatest  dexterity  by  those  that  remain  within. 


OF  THE  ANTS  IN  GENERAL. 

ALL  the  species  of  Ants  known  in  this  country  are  gregarious ;  and, 
like  the  bees,  consist  of  males,  females,  and  neuters ;  the  latter  alone 
are  the  laborers.  These  build  in  the  ground  an  oblong  nest,  in  which 
there  are  various  passages  and  apartments.  In  the  formation  of  the 
nest  every  individual  is  occupied:  some  are  employed  in  securing- 
a  firm  and  durable  groundwork,  by  mixing  the  earth  with  a  sort  of 
glue  produced  in  their  bodies,  others  collect  little  bits  of  twigs  to 
serve  as  rafters,  placing  them  over  their  passages  to  support  the  cov- 
ering; others  again  lay  pieces  across  these,,  and  place  on  them  rushes, 
weeds  and  dried  grass.  The  latter  they  secure  so  firmly,  as  completely 
to  turn  off  the  water  from  their  magazines. 

From  the  eggs  of  these  insects  proceed  the  larvae,  a  small  kind  of 
maggots  without  legs,  which  soon  transform  into  white  chrysalids. 
The  latter  are  generally  called  Ants1  eggs,  and  are  frequently  used  foi 
the  feeding  of  young  Pheasants,  Partridges,  and  Nightingales. 

The  males  are  much  smaller  than  the  females,  and  seldom  frequent 
the  common  habitation.  All  the  labor  which  the  females  undergo,  is 
the  laying  of  eggs ;  and  the  cold  weather  of  winter  always  destroys 
them.  The  neuters,  or  laboring  Ants,  which  alone  are  able  to  struggle 
through  the  winter,  pass  this  season  in  a  torpid  state.  The  females 
and  neuters  are  each  armed  with  stings. 

It  is  said  that  the  Ants  of  tropical  climates  are  never  torpid ;  that 
tney  build  their  nests  with  a  dexterity,  lay  up  provisions,  arid  submit 
to  regulations,  that  are  entirely  unknown  among  those  of  Europe. 
They  are,  in  every  respect,  a  more  formidable  race.  Their  stings 
produce  insupportable  pain,  and  their  depredations  do  infinite  mis- 
chief. Sheep,  hens,  and  even  rats,  by  loitering  too  near  their  habita- 
tions, are  often  destroyed  by  them. 


THE  HORSE  EMMET,  OR  GREAT  HILL-ANT. 

It  is  chiefly  near  the  old  and  decayed  trunks  of  trees  that  the  Hill- 
ants  form  their  settlements.  Their  nest  consists  of  a  great  number  of 
apartments.  In  these  they  have  their  magazines,  and  bring  forth  and 
rear  their  offspring. 


THE   HORSE   EMMET,    OR   GREAT    II ILL- ANT. 


529 


ANTS'  NEST. 


It  is  the  peculiar  habit  of  the  Hill-ants  to  collect  a  vast  quantity  of 
pieces  of  dry  sticks,  chips,  bits  of  straw,  and  other  rubbish,  which 
they  carry  to  the  surface  of  their  colonies,  and  there  place  together  in 
heaps,  which  sometimes  become  immensely  large.  This  employment 
they  renew  e**ery  spring,  and  continue  through  the  whole  summer. 


530       THE  RED  AXT — TIPUL^E,  OR  CRANE-FLIES. 


THE  RED  ANT. 

The  lodgments  of  this  species  are  often  found  under  flat  stones  and 
rubbish  ;  and  not  unfrequently  in  the  forsaken  habitations  of  Moles. 
In  the  latter  of  these  situations,  the  process  of  forming  their  nest  is 
curious.  They  cut  the  earth  into  small  parcels,  and  incrust  these  with 
1.1  ie  blades  of  grass.  As  the  blades,  towards  the  month  of  June  (when 
this  work  is  in  progress)  grow  every  day,  so  the  Ants  advance  their 
labors  in  proportion,  By  this  contrivance,  in  somewhat  more  than  a 
month  they  have  a  number  of  little  mounts,  each  about  six  inches 
high.  The  architecture  of  these  is  slight,  and  the  demolition  easy ; 
but,  without  any  serious  accident,  they  last  long  enough  to  answer 
every  purpose  for  which  they  were  formed.  The  nests  of  such  Red 
Ants  as  reside  under  stones  or  pavements,  in  old  walls,  or  under  rub- 
bish, do  not  require  out-works,  and  consequently  the  insects  do  not 
here  form  them,  but  are  content  with  the  covering  they  find. 

In  collecting  their  stores,  these  creatures  may  often  be  observed  in 
?ull  employment ;  one  of  them  loaded  with  a  grain  of  wheat,  another 
with  a  dead  fly,  and  several  together  hauling  along  the  body  of  some 
larger  insect.  Whenever  they  meet  with  any  food  too  large  to  admit 
of  being  dragged  away,  they  devour  so  much  of  it  upon  the  spot,  a» 
to  reduce  it  to  a  bulk  sufficiently  small  for  them  to  carry. 


DIPTEROUS  INSECTS. 

THE  Linnean  order  Diptera,  comprises  those  insects  that  have  only 
two  wings,  each  furnished  at  its  base  with  a  poise  or  balancer. 

OF  THE   TIPUL.E,   OR    CRANE-FLIES. 

IN  their  general  form,  the  Tipulae  have  a  general  resemblance  to  the 
Gnats,  but  they  are  easily  distinguished  from  those  insects,  by  having 
expanded  wings,  and  being  destitute  of  the  long  proboscis  which  is  so 
conspicuous  in  the  Gnats.  From  the  commencement  of  spring  until, 
the  beginning  of  autumn,  the  larger  kinds  of  Tipulae  are  to  be  seen 
in  great  numbers  in  pastures  and  meadows.  Some  of  the  species  lay 
their  eggs  upon  the  ground  amongst  the  grass,  and  others  in  the  hol- 
lows of  decayed  trees.  The  larvce  are  without  feet,  soft,  and  cylindrical. 

Both  the  larvce  and  chrysalids  of  the  smaller  Tipulso  are  found  in 
water,  and  are  very  various,  both  in  size  and  color.  Some  are  fur- 
nished  with  a  pair  of  arms ;  and  others  are  enclosed  in  cylindrical 
tubes,  open  at  the  ends.  The  latter  swim  nimbly,  but  the  former 
always  remain  in  holes  which  they  have  formed  in  the  banks  of  rivu- 
lets. Some  of  the  species  spin  a  silken  case  round  part  of  their  body. 
Their  whole  frame  is,  in  general,  so  very  tender,  that,  in  some  of  the 
species,  a  touch  only  is  sufficient  to  crush  them. 


OF   THE   FLIES   IN   GENERAL.  531 


OF  THE  FLIES  IN  GENERAL. 

TFTE  mouth  of  these  insects  has  a  soft,  fleshy  proboscis,  with  two 
equal  lips ;  and  the  sucker  is  furnished  with  bristles.  The  antonn» 
are  generally  very  short. 

The  appellation  of  Fly  has  been  given  almost  exclusively  tc  ihew 
'  insects,  probably  from  their  being  much  more  common  than  any 
others.  The  larvae  of  some  of  the  species  live  in  water;  those  of 
others  are  found  on  trees,  where  they  devour  aphides  or  plant-lice ; 
and  others  in  putrid  flesh,  cheese,  &c.  Most  of  the  flies  are  torpid 
during  the  winter,  and  therefore  lay  up  no  provision  for  their  nour- 
ishment in  the  cold  season.  At  the  decline  of  the  year,  when  the 
mornings  and  evenings  become  chilly,  many  of  them  come  for  warmth 
into  houses,  and  swarm  in  the  windows.  At  first  they  appear  very 
brisk  and  alert;  but  as  they  become  torpid  they  seem  to  move  with 
difficulty,  and  at  la'st  are  scarcely  able  to  lift  their  legs.  These  seeu 
as  if  they  were  glued  to  the  glass  ;  and  by  degrees  many  of  the  insecta 
do  actually  stick  on  the  glass  till  they  die.  It  has  been  observed  thafc 
some  of  the  flies,  besides  sharp,  hooked  nails,  have  skinny  palms  or 
flaps  to  their  feet,  by  which  they  adhere  to  glass  and  other  smooth 
bodies,  and  walk  on  ceilings  with  their  backs  downward.  They  aro 
enabled  to  do  this,  by  the  pressure  upon  those  flaps  by  the  atmosphere ; 
the  weight  of  which  they  easily  overcome  in  warm  weather,  when  they 
are  brisk  and  alert.  But  towards  the  end  of  the  year  this  resistance 
becomes  too  mighty  for  their  diminished  strength ;  and  we  see  flies 
laboring  along,  and  lugging  their  feet  on  windows  as  if  they  stuck  fast 
to  the  glass ;  and  it  is  with  the  utmost  difficulty  they  can  draw  one 
foot  after  another,  and  disengage  their  hollow  caps  from  the  slippery 
surface.  On  a  principle  exactly  similar  to  this  it  is,  that  boys,  by  way 
of  amusement,  carry  heavy  weights,  by  only  a  piece  of  wet  leather  at 
the  end  of  a  string,  clapped  close  to  the-  surface  of  a  stone. 

It  is  a  very  extraordinary  fact,  that  flies  have  been  known  to  remain 
immersed  in  strong  liquors,  even  for  several  months,  and  afterwards, 
on  being  taken  out,  and  exposed  to  the  air,  have  again  revived. 
Some,  we  are  told  by  Dr.  Franklin,  were  drowned  in  Madeira  wine, 
when  bottled  in  Virginia  to  be  sent  to  England.  At  the  opening  of 
a  bottle  of  this  wine  at  a  friend's  house  in  London,  many  months  after, 
wards,  three  drowned  flies  fell  into  the  first  glass  that  was  filled.  The 
Doctor  says,  that  having  heard  it  remarked  that  drowned  flies  were 
capable  of  being  revived  by  the  rays  of  the  sun,. he  proposed  making 
the  experiment.  They  were  therefore  exposed  to  the  sun,  upon  the 
seive  which  had  been  employed  to  strain  them  from  the  wine.  lu 
less  than  three  hours  two  of  them,  by  degrees,  began  to  exhibit  signa 
oi  life.  Some  convulsive  motions  were  first  observed  in  the  thighs ; 
and  at  length  they  raised  themselves  upon  their  legs,  wiped  their  eyes 
with  their  fore-feet,  and,  soon  afterwards,  flew  away.  The  Rev*  Mr. 
Kirby  informs  me,  that  he  has  made  the  same  observation  on  fl;ea 

34 


532    THE   COMMON-FLESH   FLY — HESSIAN   FLY CHEESE-FLY. 

taken  out  of  home-made  wines.     He  says  that  many  have  recovered, 
after  having  been  twelve  months  immersed. 


THE    COMMON    FLESH-FLY. 


It  is  a  fact  not  generally  known,  that  this  is  a  viviparous  insect,  de- 
positing its  offspring,  in  a  living  state,  on  the  meat  in  our  shambles 
and  larders.  The  young-ones  appear  under  the  same  worm-like  form, 
as  the  grubs  produced  from  the  Blue  Flesh-fly.  They  feed  as  those  do, 
increase  in  size,  undergo  all  their  transformations  in  the  same  manner, 
and  even  in  the  fly -state  appear  but  little  different 


THE    HESSIAN    FLY. 


Among  the  various  causes  of  alarm  experienced  Ly  the  farmer  ia 
the  course  of  his  rural  labors,  few  are  more  powerful,  though  many 
more  justly  so,  than  the  larvae  or  grubs  of  this  little  fly.  These  are 
lodged  and  nourished  within  the  stems  of  wheat  and  rye,  just  above 
the  root,  which  they  entirely  destroy. 


THE    CHEESE-FLY. 

The  larvae  of  these  flies  are  the  troublesome  maggots  found  in 
cheese,  and  so  well  known  to  housewives  under  the  name  of  Hoppers. 
They  proceed  from  eggs  deposited  in  the  crevices  or  holes  of  the 
cheese  by  the  parent  fly. 

This  maggot  is  surprisingly  strong  and  vigorous,  and,  when  disturbed 
leaps  to  a  considerable  distance.  To  do  this,  it  erects  itself  on  its  tail, 
and,  bending  its  head  into  a  circle,  fixes  two  black  claws,  which  are 
situated  at  the  end  of  the  tail  into  two  cavities  formed  for  their  recep- 
tion at  the  back  of  the  head.  It  then  exerts  its  muscular  powers,  and, 
in  suddenly  extending  its  body,  throws  itself,  for  its  size,  to  a  vast  dis- 
tance. One  of  these  insects,  which  was  not  the  fourth  of  an  inch  long, 
has  been  known  to  leap  thus,  out  of  a  box  six  inches  deep,  or  to 
twenty -four  times  its  own  length. 


OF  THE  TABANUS,   OR  WHAME-FLY  TRIBE. 

THE  insects  of  the  present  tribe  subsist  on  the  blood  of  animals, 
which  they  suck  with  great  avidity,  by  means  of  their  proboscis. 
They  are  chiefly  active  during  the  hottest  weather  of  summer.  In 
most^of  the  species  the  eyes  are  beautifully  colored.  Wet  meadows 
and  moist  woods  are  the  places  in  which  they  principally  abound 
The  Tirvce  of  some  of  the  sDecies  live  underground. 


THE   HORSE-FLY,  AND  GREEN-EYED   WHAME-FLT.  533 


THE  HORSE-FLY,  AND  GREEN-EYED  WHAME-FLY. 

Ths  puncture  of  both  these  insects  is  extremely  keen  and  painfiii. 
Daring  the  summer- time,  the  former  torment  horses  and  cattle  ia 
such  a  degree,  as  sometimes  to  throw  them  into  a  state  of  the  utmost 
agitation  and  alarm.  They  are  more  abundant  in  wet  meadows  and 
pastures  than  in  other  places.  Mankind  are  also  not  unfrequently 
attacked  by  them. 

The  Green-eyed  specks  often  torment  mankind.  Those  persona 
who  are  accustomed  to  walk  in  shady  lanes,  and  in  woods,  during 
the  hot  weather  -of  June  And  July,  know  well  what  it  is  to  sui&r  from 
their  .attacks. 


OF  THE  GNATS. 

THESE  insects  principally  frequent  woods  and  watery  places,  and, 
in  many  parts,  are  known  to  the  country  people  by  the  name  of 
Midges.  They  live  by  sucking  the  blood  and  juices  of  the  larger 
animals. 

Their  larvee  are  very  common  in  stagnant  waters.  The  bodies  of 
these  are  composed  of  nine  segments,  the  last  of  which  is  furnished 
with  a  small  cylindrical  tube,  through  which  they  breathe  ;  and  they 
frequently  rise  to  the  surface  of  the  water  for  that  purpose.  The 
head  of  the  chrysalis  is  bent  towards  the  breast,  so  as  to  throw  the 
thorax  in  front:  in  this  the  respiratory  tubes  are  situated,  near  the 
head.  The  last  segment  of  the  abdomen  terminates  in  a  kind  of  flat 
fin,  by  means  of  which  the  creature  performs  all  its  motions  in  the 
water. 


THE   COMMON   GNAT. 

Few  insects  are  better  known  than  this  species  of  <jnat,  and  there 
are  not  many  that  afford  a  more  interesting  history. 

The  female  deposits  her  eggs  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  sur- 
rounds them  with  a  kind  of  u notions  matter,  which  prevents  them 
from  sinking;  .and  she  at  the  same  time  fastens  them  with  a  thread 
to  the  bottom,  to  prevent  them  from  being  floated  away  from  a  place, 
the  warmth  of  which  is  proper  for  their  production,  to  any  other 
where  the  water  may  be  too  cold,  or  the  animals  their  enemies,  too 
numerous.  In  this  state,  therefore,  they  resemble  a  buoy  that  is  fixed 
by  an  anchor.  As  they  conae  to  maturity  they  sink  deeper ;  and  at 
last,  when  they  leave  the  egg,  they  creep,  in  the  form  of  grubs,  at  th^ 
bottom. 

It  is  impossible  to  behold  and  not  admire  the  beautiful  structure  of 
the  proboscis,  through  which  the  Gnat  draws  the  juices  that  afford  it 


534  THE  MUSQUITOFLY — THE   SPIDER   FLIES. 

nourishment.  The  naked  eye  is  only  able  to  discover  a  Icngand 
siender  tube,  containing  five  or  six  spiculae  of  exquisite  fineness. 
These  spu-ulye,  introduced  into  the  veins  of  animals,  act  like  the 
suckers  of  a  pumpr  and  cause  the  blood  to  ascend.  The  insect  injecta 
a  small  quantity  of  liquid  into  the  wound,  by  which  the  blood  ia 
made  more  fluid.  The  Gnat,  as  it  sucks,  swells,  grows  red,  and  does 
not  quit  its  hold  till  it  has  gorged  itself.  The  liquor  it  has  injected 
canses  a  disagreeable  itching,  which  may  in  some  degree  be  removed 
by  vulati  e  alkali,  01  by  immediately  rubbing  and  washing  the  plass 
with  cold  water. 


THE   MUSQUITOFLY. 

The  Musqnito-fly  ia  nothing  more  than  a  large  variety  of  the  Com- 
mon Gnat.  These  insects  are  found  in  great  abundance  in  the  woody 
and  marshy  parts  of  all  hot  climates;  and,  during  the  short  summer 
throughout  L'»pland,  Norway,  and  Finland,  and  other  countries 
equally  m-ar  the  Pole. 

It  is  the  female  on?ly  that  bites  and  s-ucks  the  blood  ;  an-cJ  this  oper- 
ation is  so  severe,  as  to  swell  and  blister  the  skin  ia  a  violent  manner 
and  sometimes  even  to  leave  obstinate  sores. 

The  lowest  class  of  people,  in  all  the  climates  where  Mosquitoes 
abound,  keep  them  out  of  their  huts,  during  the  day-time,  by  burning 
there  a  continual  fire:  the  Laplander,  when  in  bed,  has  a  better  con- 
trivance to  defend  himself  from  their  stings.  He  fixes  a  leather  thong 
to  the  poles- of  his  tent,  this  raises  his  canvass  quilt  to  a  proper  height^ 
so  that  its-  sides  or  edges  touch  the  ground.  Under  this  be  creeps  and, 
passes  the  night  in  security.  When  Mr.  Acerbi  and  his  friends  arrived 
in  a  cottage  in  the  village  of  Killare,  in  Lapland,  the  first  favor  th® 
worn-em  conferred  on  them,  was  to  ligbt  a  fire,,  and  fill  the  room  so  full 
of  smoke,  that  it  brought  tears  from  their  eyes.  This  was  done  to 
deliver  them  from  the  molestation  of  the  Musquitoes;  and,  as  a  means 
of  effectual  prevention,  they  made  a  second  fire,  near  the  entrance  of 
the  apartment,  to  stop  the  fresh  myriads,  which  would  otherwise  have 
rushed  in  upon  them  from  without.  The  buzzing  of  Musquitoes  ia 
«o  loud,  as  to  disturb  the  rest  of  persons  in  the  mgbty  almost  as  mucb 
aa  would  be  done  by  their  bite. 


OF  THE  HIPPOBOSCLE,  OR  SPIDER-FLIES. 

THE  Ilippoboscas  form  a  connecting  link  between  the  two-winged 
and  the  apterous  insects.  By  some  authors  they  have  been  denomi- 
nated mouches  araignees,  or  spider-flies,  from  a  distant  resemblance 
which  some  of  them  have  to  Spiders. 

A  few  of  the  species  are  found  in  woods  and  marshy  places ;  but 
the  greater  number  of  them  infest  the  bodies  either  of  quadrupeds  or 
bird* 


APTEROUS  INSECTS.' 


THE  Lrrraeaa  order  Apt-era,  -comprises  all 
Bute  of  wings  in  botfe.  sexes. 


insects  as  axe  dead- 


OF  THE  TEEMES  TRIBE. 

THE  p-esefFfc  tirbe  is  arranged  by  Limwews  among  tfoe  Aptereraa 
Insects :  but  it  raigfet  with  e^ual  propriety  have  beea  inserted  with  the 
Neuroptera  or  Hymenoptera ;  for  tke  makss  of  aaost  -of  the  species,  ii 
a  perfect  state,  kave  either  two  oe:  four  wings. 


THE     DEJLTH-WATCM   TfiKMES. 


In  <^d  wood,  decayed  ftwnitua*e,  Miaseumfl,  amd  oeg^ected 
these  insects  WT-Q  almost  always  to  be  fo«n<l  ;  aod  both  the  male  and 
female,  for  tke  purpose  of  attracting  each  otter.,  bav-e  th«  power  of 
making  a  ticking  noise,  not  unlike  that  of  a  watch. 

The  Death  -watch  T-ernaes  seem  to  have  very  litde  alliaaee  to 
following 


THE  WHIT®   ANTS. 

The  anwalfi  of  tkk  -eKtraoTdinary  <x^mm unity  ar»e  fo^and   im 

East  iw-dies,  ami  in  many  part* 
-of  Africa  and  South  Ana-erica, 
wfi-ere  tih-eia*  d-esp reflations  ai^d 
greatly  dreaded  by  the  mha;ba- 
tants.  1'feey  are  naturally  di- 
vided into  three  orders  .  1.  Th« 
workitag  insects,  2.  Th«  fighter.^ 
or  goMiera,  which  perform  no 
ether  labor  than  such  as  is  ne- 
oessary  in  defenoe  of  th-e  Rests; 
and  -S.  The  winged  or  perfect 
insects,  which  are  male  aoi 
WK»  AOT.  female,  and  capable  of  multi- 

plying the  species. 

The  nests,  or  rather  kills,  of  tkese  Ants,  (for  they  are  often 


536 


THE  WHITE  ANTS. 


ten  or  twelve  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  ground1,.)  are  nean y  oi  a 
conical  shape;  and  sometimes  so  numerous,  as  at  a  little  distance  to 
appear  like  villages  of  the  negroes.  Jobson  in  his  history  of  Gambia, 
says,  that  some  of  them  are  twenty  feet  high,  and  that  he  and  his 
companions  have  often  hidden  themselves  behind  them,  for  the  par- 
p.>se  of  shooting  Deer  and  other  wild  animals.  Eaeh  hill  is  com- 
posed of  an  exterior  and  an  interior  part.  The  exterior  cover  is  a  large 


clay  shell,  shaped  like  a  dome,  of  strength  and  magnitude  sufficient 
lo  enclose  an-d  protect  the  interior  biaildin-g  from  the  injuries  of  the 
weathe-rr  aad  to  defend  its  numerous  iahabifcaats  from  the  attacks  of 
natural  off  accidental  enemies. 

When  a.  breach  is  made,  by  an  axe  o-r  other  instrument,  in  any  of 
the  walls,  the  first  object  that  attracts  attention,  is  the  behaviour  of 
Jie  soldiers  or  fighting  insects.  Immediately  after  the  blow  is  given, 
&  soldier  domes  out,  walks-  about  the  breach,  and  seems  to  examine 


THE  WHITE  ANTS.  537 

the  nature  of  the  enemy,  or  the  cause  of  the  attack.  lie  then  goes 
into  the  hill,  gives  the  alarm,  and,  in  a  short  time,  large  bodies  of 
soldiers  rush  out  as  fast  as  the  breach  will  permit.  It  is  not  easy  to 
describe  the  fury  that  actuates  these  fighting  insects.  In  their  eager- 
ness to  repel  the  enemy,  they  frequently  tumble  down  the  sides  of  the 
hill,  but  quickly  recover  themselves,  and  bite  every  thing  they 
encounter. 


QUEEN   WHITE   ANT,   WITH   LABORERS  CARRYING   OFF   HER   EGGS. 

Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  instances  in  which  female  insects 
are  larger  than  males,  but  this  is  nothing  compared  with  the  prodigious 
difference  between  the  sexes  of  (Termas  Fatale)  and  other  species  of 
White  Ants,  whose  males  are  often  many  times  less  than  the  females, 
when  the  latter  are  distended  with  eggs.  When  the  business  of  ovi^ 
position  commences,  they  take  the  eggs  from  the  female  and  place  them 
in  the  nurseries  prepared  for  their  reception.  Her  abdomen  now  begins 
gradually  to  extend,  till,  in  process  of  time,  it  is  enlarged  to  one  thou- 
sand five  hundred  or  two  thousand  times  the  size  of  the  rest  of  her  body, 
and  her  bulk  equal  to  that  of  twenty  or  thirty  thousand  workers. 
This  part,  often  more  than  three  inches  in  length,  is  now  a  mass  of  eggs, 
making  long  circumvolutions  through  numberless  slender  serpentine 
vessels,  which,  like  the  undulations  of  water,  produce  a  perpetual  rise 
and  fall  over  the  whole  surface  of  the  abdomen,  and  occasion  a  constant 
extrusion  of  the  eggs.  The  laborers  of  the  White  Ants  attend  the 
queen  while  she  is  laying,  and  that  with  the  utmost  care ;  for,  as  she 
cannot  then  move  about,  they  are  under  the  necessity  of  carrying  off 
the  eggs,  as  they  are  laid,  to  the  nurseries.  The  extraordinary  labour 
which  this  requires  in  the  community  may  be  understood,  when,  accord- 
ing to  Smeathman,  she  lays  sixty  eggs  in  a  minute,  which  will  amount 
to  86,400  in  a  day,  and  31,536,000  in  a  year.  These  insects  have 
generally  been  called  "Ants,"  probably  on  account  of  the  similarity  of 


538  THE    COMMON    LOUSE. 

their  manner  of  living,  and  their  skilful  and  diligent  labor;  but  they 
are  by  ho  means  the  same  kind  of  insects.  They  certainly  not  only 
equal  but  excel  Ants,  Bees,  Wasps  and  Beavers  in  the  art  of  building, 
and,  if  we  take  into  account  the  comparative  size  of  the  architects,  we 
find,  on  comparing  the  hillocks  constructed  by  these  insects  with  the 
most  colossal  works  of  man,  that  the  result  is  calculated  to  awaken  in 
us  sentiments  of  humility.  The  great  pyramid  of  Cheops  in  its  original 
state,  before  the  base  became  covered  by  the  accumulation  of  sand,  was 
about  four  hundred  and  eighty  feet  in  height.  It  was,  therefore,  about 
ninety-six  times  the  height  of  a  man,  assuming  the  average  stature  of 
Africans  to  be  five  feet.  The  hillock  which  the  termites  raise  are  about 
a  thousand  times  higher  than  the  insects  which  construct  them,  so  that 
these  edifices  of  the  White  Ants  are  relatively  many  times  higher  than 
the  loftiest  of  our  monuments. 

These  artificial  mounds  are  surprisingly  strong ;  they  are  but  of  small 
circumference,  compared  with  their  height,  and  when  finished  are  pointed 
at  the  top,  so  that  you  might  imagine,  to  look  at  them,  they  could  be 
blown  down  by  a  violent  wind ;  but,  in  reality,  they  are  proof  against 
most  assaults. 

While  they  are  still  in  the  course  of  construction,  and  when  their 
domes  are  accessible  to  the  wild  bulls,  these  animals  may  often  be  seen 
standing  on  their  summits  as  sentinels  to  the  rest  of  the  herd.  In 
some  regions  their  magnitude,  regularity,  and  numbers,  make  them 
resemble  an  assemblage  of  negro  huts. 

OF  THE  LOUSE  TKIBE. 

LICE  live  on  animal  juices,  which  they  extract  from  living  bodies 
by  means  of  their  sucker.  The  larva  and  pupa  resemble  the  perfect 
tDsect. 

The  mouth  in  these  animals  is  formed  by  a  retractile  recurved 
sucker,  without  a  proboscis.  There  are  no  feelers,  and  the  antennae 
are  about  the  length  of  the  thorax.  The  abdomen  is  somewhat  flat- 
tened; and  the  legs,  which  are  six  in  number,  are  formed  not  for 
leaping;  but  for  running  and  climbing. 


THE   COMMON   LOUSE. 

"When  we  examine  the  human  Louse  with  the  microscope,  its 
external  deformity  excites  disgust.  The  forepart  of  its  head  is  some- 
what obloug,  while  the  hind  part  is  rounded.  The  sfcin  is  hard  anc 
transparent,  with  here  and  there  a  few  bristly  hairs.  On  each  side 
of  its  head  are  two  antennie  or  horns,  jointed,  and  covered  with 
bristly  hair;  and  behind  these  are  the  eyes,  which  are  large  and 
black.  The  neck  is  short,  and  the  breast  divided  into  three  parts; 
en  each  side  of  which  are  three  leofs,  armed  at  the  end  with  small 
claws,  by  which  the  animal  is  enabled  to  lay  hold  of  different  objects. 
The  trunk,  or  proboscis,  is  generally  concealed  in  its  tube:  this  is 
very  sharp,  ami  furnished  towards  its  upper  part,  with  a  few  reversed 


THE   COMMON    FLEA.  63P 

prickles.  By  means  of  this  the  Louse  feeds;  and,  when  it  is  engaged 
in  sucking  any  animal,  the  blood  may  be  seen,  through  the  trans- 
parency of  its  external  covering,  to  rush  like  a  torrent  into  tha 
etomach.  Through  the  skin  its  stomach  and  intestines  are  visible,  as 
well  as  the  ramifications  of  the  tracheae  or  respiratory  tubes,  which 
appear  dispersed,  in  a  beautiful  manner,  throughout  various  parts 
of  the  animal. 

Scarcely  any  creature  multiplies  so  quickly  as  this  unweicorne 
intruder.  It  has  been  asserted  that  a  Louse  becomes  a  grandfather 
in  the  space  of  twenty-four  hours.  This  fact  cannot  be  ascertained; 
but  nothing  is  more  true  than  that  the  moment  the  nit,  which  is  no 
other  than  the  egg  of  the  Louse,  gets  rid  of  its  superfluous  moisture, 
and  throws  off'  its  shell,  it  begins  in  its  turn  to  breed.  Nothing  so 
much  prevents  the  increase  of  this  nauseous  animal,  as  cold,  and 
want  of  humidity. 


OF  THE  FLEAS  IN  GENERAL. 

THE  mouth  of  these  insects  is  without  either  jaws  or  feelers:  it  haa 
only  a  long,  inflected  proboscis,  which  conceals  a  single  bristle.  The 
antennae  are  beaded;  the  abdomen  is  compressed  sideways;  and  thd 
legs  are  six  in  number,  and  formed  for  leaping. 

The  larvce  are  white,  cylindrical,  and  without  feet,  but  are  very 
active  little  creatures.  Under  the  tail  there  are  two  small  spines. 
The  chrysalis  is  motionless,  but  in  appearance  is  not  unlike  the  pei- 
fect  insect.  The  two  following  species  are  all  that  have  been  yet 
discovered. 


THE  COMMON  FLEA. 

Notwithstanding  the  general  disapprobation  of  this  insect,  it  has 

certainly  something  pleasing  in  its  ap- 
pearance. When  examined  with  a  micn>- 
scope,  it  will  be  seen  to  have  a  small  head, 
large  eyes,  and  two  short,  four-jointed 
antennae,  between  which  is  situated  the 
trunk,  or  proboscis.  The  body  appears 
enveloped  in  a  shelly  armor,  which  ia 
always  clean  and  bright:  this  is  beset  at 
the  segments  with  many  sharp  bristles. 
All  the  motions  of  this  insect  indicate  agility  and  elegance;  and  its 
muscular  power  is  so  extraordinary  as  justly  to  excite  our  wonder. 
We  know  no  animal  whose  muscular  strength  can  be  put  in  compe- 
tition with  that  of  a  Flea;  for,  on  a  moderate  computation,  it  is  known 
to  leap  to  a  distance  of  at  least  two  hundred  times  its  own  length. 

There  is  no  proportion  between  the  power  and  the  size  of  the 
insect  tribes.  Had  man  an  equal  degree  of  strength,  bulk  for  bulk, 
with  a  Louse  or  a  Flea,  the  history  of  Samson  would  no  longer  b« 


THE  COMMON  FLEA. 


540  THE   PENETRATING   FLEA,    OR   CHIGOE. 

miraculous.  A  Flea  will  drag  after  it  a  chain  a  hundred  times 
heavier  than  itself;  and,  to  compensate  for  this  power,  will  eat  ten 
times  its  own  weight  of  provisions  in  a  day.  Mr.  Boverich,  an 
ingenious  watchmaker,  who  some  years  ago  lived  in  London,  ex- 
hibited to  the  public  a  little  ivory  chaise,  with  four  wheels,  and  all 
its  proper  apparatus,  and  a  man  sitting  on  the  box,  all  of  which  were 
di  awn  by  a  single  Flea. 

This  little  animal  is  produced  from  eggs  which  the  females  stick 
fast,  by  a  kind  of  glutinous  matter,  to  the  roots  of  the  hairs  of  cats, 
dogs,  and  other  animals;  or  to  the  wool  in  blankets,  rugs,  or  other 
similar  furniture.  Of  these  eggs  the  females  lay  ten  or  twelve  a  day, 
for  several  days  successively;  and  they  are  hatched  in  the  same 
order,  five  or  six  days  after  being  laid. 

From  the  eggs  come  forth,  not  perfect  Fleas,  but  little  whitish 
worms,  or  maggots,  whose  bodies  have  annular  divisions,  and  are 
thinly  covered  with  long  hairs. 

In  eleven  days  from  their  being  hatched,  they  cease  to  eat,  and  lie 
as  though  they  were  dying;  but,  if  viewed  in  this  state  with  a  micro- 
scope, they  will  be  found  weaving  a  silken  covering  around  them,  in 
which  they  are  to  change  into  a  chrysalid  form.  They  continue  nine 
days  in  this  shape,  at  first  white,  and  afterwards  by  degrees  darken- 
ing their  color  as  they  acquire  firmness  and  strength.  As  soon  as 
they  issue  from  their  bag,  they  become  perfect  Fleas,  and  are  able 
to  leap  away. 


THE   PENETRATING   FLEA,   OR   CHIGOE. 

This  is  a  troublesome  insect,  too  well  known  in  many  parts  of  this 
country.  It  is  so  small  as  to  be  almost  imper- 
ceptible. Its  legs  have  not  the  elasticity  of 
those  of  Fleas;  for,  if  the  Chigoes  had  as  great 
powers  of  leaping  as  Fleas,  few  creatures  could 
escape  their  attack.  They  are  always  found 
among  dust,  and  particularly  in  filthy  places ; 
they  fix  themselves  on  the  legs,  to  the  soles  of 
the  feet,  and  even  to  the  fingers. 

This  creature  pierces  the  skin  so  subtilely  that  the  person  is  not 
sensible  of  the  attack;  nor  is  this  to  be  perceived  till  the  insect  begins 
to  extond  itself.  At  first,  it  is  not  difficult  to  extract  it;  but,  although 
it  in«7  only  have  introduced  its  head,  it  makes  so  firm  a  lodgment 
that  a  part  of  the  skin  must  be  sacrificed  before  it  will  quit  its  hold. 

"The  Chigoe,"  says  Stedman,  "is  a  kind  of  small  Sand-flea,  common 
in  Surinam,  which  gets  in  between  the  skin  and  the  flesh  without  its 
being  felt,  and  generally  under  the  nails  of  the  toes :  where,  while  it 
feeds,  it  keeps  growing  till  it  becomes  of  the  size  of  a  large  pea, 
causing  no  further  pain  than  a  disagreeable  itching.  In  process  of 
time  its  operation  appears  in  the  form  of  a  small  bladder,  in  which 
are  deposited  thousands  of  eggs  or  nits,  and  which,  if  it  breaks,  pro- 
duce so  many  young  Chigoes,  that  in  course  of  time  create  running 


THE   CHIOOE. 


THE   CHEESE-MITE-  -THE   DOG-TICK.  541 

ulcers,  which  are  often  of  very  dangerous  consequence  to  the  patient, 
BO  much  so,  indeed,  that  he  knew  a  soldier,  the  soles  of  whose  feet 
were  obliged  to  be  cut  away  before  he  could  recover;  and  some  men 
have  lost  their  limbs  by  amputation;  nay,  even  their  lives,  by  having 
neglected,  in  time  to  root  out  these  abominable  vermin.  The  moment, 
therefore,  that  a  redness  and  itching,  more  than  usual,  are  perceived, 
it  is  time  to  extract  the  Chigoe  that  occasions  them.  This  is  done 
•\\ith  a  sharp-pointed  needle,  taking  care  not  to  occasion  unnecessary 
pain,  and  to  prevent  the  Chigoe,  or  bladder,  from  breaking  in  tte 
wound.  Tobacco  ashes  are  put  into  the  orifice,  by  which,  in  a  little 
time,  the  sore  is  perfectly  healed." 


OF  THE  TICKS  IN  GENERAL. 

THESE  troublesome  insects  live  chiefly  on  other  animals:  some  of 
them,  however,  inhabit  the  water,  and  others  subsist  on  various 
vegetable  substances.  They  are  to  be  found  every  where,  and  in 
Immense  numbers.  The  larvce  and  chrysalids  have  each  six  feet. 

Their  rnouth  is  not  furnished  with  a  proboscis,  but  the  sucker  has 
a  two-valved,  cylindrical  sheath.  They  have  two  compressed  feelers, 
as  long  as  the  sucker;  two  eyes,  one  on  each  side  of  the  head;  and 
eight  legs. 


THE   CHEESE-MITE. 

To  the  naked  eye,  these  minute  creatures  appear  little  more  than 
moving  particles  of  dust;  but  on  the  application  of 
the  microscope  they  are  found  to  be  perfect  insects, 
performing  all  the  regular  animal  functions. 

The  females,  which  are  easily  distinguished  from 
the  males,  are  oviparous.     The  eggs  are  so  minute, 
that  on  a  tolerably  accurate  calculation   it   appears, 
that  ninety  millions  of  them  would  not  fill  the  shell  of 
a  pigeon's  egg. 

Mites  are  very  quick-sighted ;  and  when  once  they  have  been 
touched  with  a  pin,  it  is  easy  to  perceive  a  great  degree  of  cunning 
exerted  to  avoid  a  second  touch.  They  are  extremely  voracious  ani- 
mals, and  are  often  observed  even  to  devour  each  other;  and  so  very 
tenacious  are  they  of  life,  that  they  have  been  kept  alive  many  months 
between  tvo  concave  glasses,  by  which  they  were  applied  to  a  micro- 
•cope. 


THE   DOG-TICK. 

In  thickets  and  heaths  these  Ticks  are  sometimes  very  abundant. 
Hence  it  is  that  animals  which  frequent  such  places,  and  particularly 
dogs  of  the  chase,  are  much  exposed  to  their  attacks. 


THE   CHEESB-MITiC. 


542  THE   HOUSE-SPIDER. 

Their  abdomen  is  quite  flat  and  thin  when  they  have  been  long 
without  nourishment ;  but,  when  adhering  to  the  body  of  an  animal, 
they  soon  fill  themselves  with  blood,  and  their  size  then  becomes  so 
much  enlarged,  that  any  one  unacquainted  with  their  habits  and 
appearance,  would  scarcely  recognise  them. 

Their  motions  are  extremely  slow  and  heavy,  but,  in  compensation 
for  this  apparent  defect,  they  are  able  to  adhere  closely  and  strongly 
even  to  the  most  solid  bodies.  They  are  very  tenacious  of  life  ;  and 
their  skin  is  so  hard  and  tough,  that  they  are  not  easily  susceptible 
of  injury.  Long  after  they  are  deprived  of  their  head,  they  give 
indications  of  remaining  life. 

In  the  destruction  of  these  insects,  mercurial  preparations  have 
been  employed  with  success. 


OF  THE  SPIDERS  IN  GENERAL. 

THESE  insects,  which  are  so  remarkable,  on  account  of  their  indus- 
try and  manners  of  life,  are  generally  viewed  with  an  aversion  only 
to  be  accounted  for  by  the  un pleasing  impressions  that  are  made  upon 
us  in  early  life.  These  impressions  are,  in  general,  communicated  by 
persons  ill-qualified  to  give  the  mind  that  direction  which  is  necessary 
for  the  purposes  of  life.  Even  many  naturalists  have  complained 
that  this  aversion  has  deterred  them  from  observing  and  accuratelv 
examining  the  habits  of  these  insects;  and  those  who  have  under- 
taken to  do  so,  have  generally  been  at  much  trouble  to  overcome 
their  antipathy. 

Spiders  prey  on  other  insects,  and  do  not,  in  all  cases,  spare  even 
their  own  species.  There  is  little  doubt  but  their  bite  is  venomous: 
and  it  is  said  that  a  fly  which  has  once  felt  it  can  never  be  recovered, 
but  soon  dies  in  convulsions.  Many  of  the  species  have  been  swal- 
lowed, without  any  subsequent  inconvenience. 

Some  of  the  Spiders  spin  webs  for  the  purpose  of  catching  their 
prey ;  but  others  seize  it  by  surprise.  They  are  all  able  to  sustain  an 
abstinence  from  food  for  a  great  length  of  time ;  some  for  even  six 
months  or  upwards. 

They  frequently  change  their  skins.  The  larvce  and  pupa  have 
eash  eight  legs,  and  differ  in  no  respect  from  the  perfect  insect. 


THE   HOUSE-SPIDER. 

The  abdomen  of  these  insects  is  nearly  oval,  of  a  brown  color,  and 
marked  with  five  black  and  almost  contiguous  spots. 

House  spiders  feed  principally  on  flies;  and  the  web  by  which  they 
are  enabled  to  entangle  these  insects  is  a  surprising  part  of  the  animal 
economy.  For  the  purpose  of  forming  this  web,  they  are  supplied 
with  a  quantity  of  glutinous  matter  contained  in  a  receptacle  near  the 
extremity  of  their  bodies;  and,  for  spinning  it  into  thread,  they  have 


THE   HOUSE-SPIDER.  543 

five  teats,  the  orifices  of  which  the  insects  have  the  power  of  co& 
tracting  and  dilating  at  pleasure.  When  they  enter  on  the  construc- 
tion of  this  curious  fabric,  they  fix  on  a  spot  apparently  calculated 
both  for  plunder  and  security.  The  animal  then  distils  one  little 
drop  of  glutinous  liquor,  which  is  very  tenacious;  and  creeping 
along  the  wall,  and  joining  its  thread  as  it  proceeds,  it  darts  itself  to 
the  opposite  side,  where  the  other  end  is  to  be  fastened.  The  first 
thread  thus  formed,  being  drawn  tight  and  fixed  at  each  end,  the 
Spider  runs  on  it  backward  and  forward,  still  doubling  and  strength 

enirig  it,  as  on  this  depends  the 
stability  of  the  whole.  The  scaf- 
folding thus  completed,  it  makes 
a  number  of  threads  parallel  to 
the  first,  and  then  crosses  them 
with  others :  the  clammy  sub- 
stance of  which  they  are  formed 
serves,  when  first  made,  to  bind 
them  to  each  other.  At  the 
bottom  of  the  web  a  kind  of 
funnel  is  constructed,  in  which 
the  little  creature  lies  concealed. 

HOUSE-SPIDER.  .    .  -  -         i 

In  this  den  of  destruction  it 

watches  with  unremitted  assiduity  till  its  prey  is  entangled;  when 
this  is  the  case  it  instantly  dar's  upon  its  victim  and  deprives  it  of 
life. 

The  webs  of  Spiders  differ  from  those  woven  by  any  human  artist 
in  this  circumstance :  in  our  work,  the  threads  extended  in  length 
are  interlaced  with  those  that  are  carried  on  transversely ;  whereas, 
the  threads  of  a  Spider's  woof  only  cross  the  threads  of  the  warp, 
and  are  glued  to  them  in  the  points  where  they  mutually  touch,  and 
are  not  either  inserted  or  interwoven. 

The  threads  along  the  border  of  the  work  are  doubled  or  trebled, 
by  the  Spider's  opening  all  her  teats  at  once,  and  gluing  several 
threads  one  over  another;  sensible  that  the  extremity  of  the  web 
ought  to  be  hemmed  and  fortified,  in  order  to  preserve  it  from  being 
torn.  She  likewise  further  secures  and  supports  it  with  strong  loops, 
or  double  threads,  which  she  fixes  all  around  it,  and  which  hinder  it 
from  being  the  sport  of  the  wtnds. 

From  time  to  time  she  finds  it  necessary  to  clear  away  the  dust, 
which  would  otherwise  incommode  her  web,  and  she  sweeps  the 
whole  by  giving  it  a  shake  with  her  paw  ;  but  in  doing  this  she  so 
nicely  proportions  the  force  of  the  blow  to  the  strength  of  the  workj 
that  nothing  is  ever  broken. 

From  all  parts  of  the  web  are  drawn  several  threads,  which  termi- 
nftte,  like  rays  in  a  centre,  at  the  place  of  her  concealment.  rf  ha 
vibration  of  any  of  these  threads  is  communicated  to  her,  and  gives 
her  notice  whenever  there  is  game  in  the  net,  and  accordingly  she 
springs  upon  it  in  an  instant.  She  derives  another  advantage  from 
this  retreat  under  her  web  ;  she  there  feasts  on  her  prey  in  full  security. 
It  also  gives  her  the  power  of  concealing  the  carcasses,  and  not  leav 


544  THE   GARDEN-SPIDER. 

ing  in  the  purlieus  any  traces  of  her  barbarity,  capable  of  intimating 
the  place  of  her  retreat,  and  inspiring  other  insects  with  a  dread  of 
approaching  it. 

This  Spider  is  furnished  with  a  pair  of  sharp  hooked  fang%  enclosed, 
when  at  rest,  in  cases  in  the  fore-part  of  her  head.  With  these  wea- 
pons, (which  a  good  gia«s  w.il  discover  to  have  a  small  slit  or  orifice 
in  each  point,)  she  seizes  and  pierces  such  insects  as  entangle  them- 
selves in  her  web;  and  infuses  a  poisonous  liquid  into  the  wound. 
This  poison  must  be  very  deleterious  ;  for  flies,  arid  many  other  insects, 
may  be  mutilated  by  depriving  them  of  their  legs,  wings,  and  even 
cutting  their  bodies  through  the  very  middle  of  the  abdomen,  and  in 
that  condition  they  will  survive  several  days;  but  this  liquid  in  a 
moment  kills  them. 

When  two  Spiders  of  the  same  size  meet  in  combat,  neither  of 
the-m  will  yield:  they  hold  each  other  by  their  fangs  so  fast,  that,  in 
general,  one  of  the  two  must  die  before  they  are  separated. 

The  Spider,  the  Ptirius,  and  many  insects  of  the  beetle  kind,  exhi- 
bit an  instinct  of  very  extraordinary  nature.  When  put  in  terror  by 
a  touch  of  the  finger,  the  Spider  runs  oft*  with  great  swiftness;  but 
if  he  find  that,  whatever  direction  he  takes,  he  is  opposed  by  another 
finger,  he  then  seems  to  despair  of  being  able  to  escape,  contracts  his 
limbs  and  body,  lies  motionless,  and  counterfeits  every  symptom  of 
death.  "  In  this  situation,"  says  Mr.  Smellie,  u  I  have  pierced  Spiders 
with  pins,  and  torn  them  to  pieces,  without  their  indicating  the  slightest 
marks  of  pain.  Some  Beetles,  when  counterfeiting  death,  will  suft'er 
themselves  to  be  gradually  roasted,  without  moving  a  single  joint." 

When  the  House-spider  changes  its  skin,  which  it  does  at  certain 
seasons,  an  opening  may  be  seen  in  the  belly.  Through  this  it  draws 
all  its  limbs,  and  leaves  the  old  covering  hanging  to  the  cord  that 
sustained  it  during  the  operation. 

The  eyes  of  all  the  Spiders  are  placed  on  the  upper  part  of  their  head, 
but  in  various  positions.  These  have  no  muscles,  and  are  therefore 
immovable.  They  also  consist  of  only  one  lens  each,  and  do  not,  as 
in  other  insects,  possess  the  faculty  of  multiplying  objects  ;  but  their 
number  and  situation  enable  the  animals  to  see  perfectly  well  in  all 
necessary  directions. 


THE  GARDEX-SriDEB. 

The  body  of  this  Spider  is  brown  and  somewhat  aowny.  On  the 
thorax  are  four  furrows,  of  which  the  two  middle  ones  diverge 
towards  the  head.  The  abdomen,  which  is  nearly  spherical,  has,  from 
the  middle  to  the  extremity,  three  white  lines. 

The  labor  of  the  Garden-spider,  is  very  different  from  that  of  the 
former  species ;  yet  it  is  not  performed  with  less  art.  When  desirous 
of  flitting  from  one  place  to  another,  this  animal  fixes  one  end  of  a 
thread  to  the  place  where  she  stands,  and  then  with  her  hind  paws, 
draws  out  several  other  threads  from  the  nipples,  which  being  length- 
ened, and  driven  Vy  the  wind  to  some  neighboring  tree,  or  other 


546  THE   WANDERING    SPIDER. 

object,  are  by  their  natural  clamminess,  fixed  to  it.  As  soon  as  tho 
Spider  finds  that  these  are  fastened,  she  makes  of  them  a  bridge,  on 
which  she  can  pass  and  repass  at  pleasure. 
This  done,  she  renders  the  thread  thicker,  by 
spinning  others  to  it.  From  this  thread  she 
often  descends,  by  spinning  downward  to 
the  ground.  The  thread  formed  by  the  latter 
operation  she  fixes  to  some  stone,  plant,  or 
other  substance.  She  reascends  to  the  first 
thread,  and  at  a  little  distance  from  the  second 
begins  a  third,  which  she  fixes  in  a  similar 
manner.  She  now  strengthens  all  the  three 
threads,  and,  beginning  at  one  of  the  corners, 
weaves  across,  and  at  last  forms  a  strong 
and  durable  net,  in  the  centre  of  which  she 
places  herself,  with  her  head  downward,  to  wait  for  her  prey. 

From  its  having  been  frequently  remarked  that  Spiders  spread 
their  webs  in  solitary  and  confined  places,  to  which  it  is  sometimes 
difficult  for  flies  to  penetrate,  M.  de  Vaillant  concluded  that  these 
creatures  must  often  remain  long  without  food,  and  that,  conse- 
quently, they  were  capable  of  enduring  considerable  abstinence. 
To  ascertain  the  truth  of  this  circumstance,  be  took  a  large  Garden- 
spider,  whose  belly  was  about  the  size  of  a  nut,  enclosed  it  under  a 
glass  bell,  which  he  secured  with  cement  round  its  bottom,  and  left  it 
in  this  situation  ten  months.  Notwithstanding  this  deprivation  of 
food,  the  insect  appeared  during  the  whole  time  equally  vigorous  and 
alert;  but  its  belly  decreased,  till  at  last  it  was  scarcely  larger  than 
the  head  of  a  pin  He  then  put  under  the  bell  to  it  another  Spider 
of  the  same  species.  For  a  little  while  they  kept  at  a  respectful  dis- 
tance from  each  other,  and  remained  motionless;  but  presently  the 
meagre  one,  pressed  by  hunger,  approached  and  attacked  the  stranger. 
It  returned  several  times  to  the  charge  ;  and,  in  these  diiVerent  conflicts, 
deprived  the  stranger  of  almost  all  its  claws:  these  it  carried  away  to 
its  former  situation,  to  devour.  The  meagre  Spider  had  likewise  lost 
three  of  its  own  claws,  on  which  also  it  fed,  and  M.  Le  Yaillant  per- 
ceived that,  by  this  repast,  its  plumpness  was  in  some  degree  restored. 
On  the  following  day,  the  new  comer,  deprived  of  all  its  means  of 
defence,  fell  a  complete  sacrifice.  It  was  speedily  devoured  ;  and  in 
less  than  twenty-four  hours,  the  old  inhabitant  of  the  bell  became  as 
plump  as  it  was  at  the  first  moment  of  its  confinement. 


THE  WANDEBIXG  SPIDKB. 

The  color  of  the  Wandering  Spider  is  reddish  brown,  darker  on  the 
thorax  than  the  abdomen.  This  part  has,  on  each  side,  towards  the 
top,  a  blackish  line,  or  a  brown  spot.  The  two  anterior  legs,  which 
are  long,  have  blackish  rings.  The  four  hind  legs  are  very  short. 

The  Wandering  Spider,  which  is  very  common  on  plants,  does  not 


THE   WATER-SPIDER. 


547 


lie  in  wait  for  its  prey,  like  several  others:  it  is  a  lively  and  actira 

hunter.     Its    head   is   furnished,   as 

in  the   rest,   with  immovable  eyes. 

Without  any   motion  of  the  head, 

it  perceives  all  the  flies  that  hover 

around:    it    does    not    alarm,    but 

stretches  over  them  its  arms,  fur- 
^  nished  with  feathers,  which  prove 
'  nets  that  entangle  their  wings.  The 

Spider  seizes  them  between  its  mer- 
ciless   claws,    and    instantly   sucks 

their  blood. 

In  its  general  form,  as  well  as  in 

its  manner  of  running,  the  Wander- 
ing Spider  has  much  the  appearance 

of  a  small  crab.     It  carries  its  eggs 

enveloped  in  a  small  bag  of  whitish 

•ilk. 


THK  WAHDEBUTQ   SPU>£&. 


THE  WATER-SPIDER. 

This  singular  little  creature  is  a  very  common  inhabitant  of  our 
fresh  waters.  When  in  the  water,  its  belly  appears  as  if  covered 
with  a  silver  varnish.  This,  however,  is  nothing  more  than  a  bubble 
of  air,  attached  to  the  abdomen  by  the  oily  humors  which  transpire 
from  the  body,  and  prevent  the  immediate  contact  of  the  water.  By 
means  of  this  kind  of  bubble,  the  insect  forms  its  dwelling  under  the 
uater.  It  fixes  several  silky  threads  to  the  stalks  of  water-plants,  and 
then,  ascending  to  the  surface,  thrusts  the  hinder  part  of  its  body 
t bove  the  water,  drawing  it  back  with  so  much  rapidity,  as  to  attach 
beneath  a  bubble  of  air,  which  it  has  the  art  of  detaining  below,  by 
j "lacing  it  under  the  threads  above  mentioned,  and  which  it  bends, 
like  a  covering,  almost  round  it.  It  then  again  ascends  for  another 
air- bubble,  and  thus  proceeds  till  it  has  constructed  an  aerial  apart- 
Dient  under  the  water,  which  it  enters  into  or  quits  at  pleasure.  The 
Diale  constructs  for  himself  one  near  that  of  the, female,  and  afterwards 
breaks  through  the  thread  walls  of  the  female's  dwelling;  and  the 
two  bubbles,  attached  to  the  bellies  of  both,  unite  into  one,  forming 
oae  large  chamber. 

The  female  takes  care  of  the  young-ones,  and  constructs  similar 
apartrients  for  them. 

The  figure  of  this  Spider  has  in  it  nothing  remarkable;  and  che 
insect  may  be  overlooked  among  a  crowd  of  curiosities,  if  the  specta- 
tor be  unacquainted  with  its  singular  art  of  constructing  an  aerial 
habitation  under  water,  and  thus  availing  itself  of  the  properties  of 
both  elements.  It  lodges,  during  the  winter,  in  empty  shells,  which 
it  dexterously  closes  with  a  web. 


"548  THE  TARANTULA — THE    COMMON    SCORPION. 


THE   TARANTULA. 

This  spider  is  somewhat  more  than  an  inch  in  length.     The  breast 

and  belly  are  of  an  ash-  zolor.  The  legs 
are  likewise  ash-colored,  with  blackish 
rings  on  the  under  part.  The  fangs  aro 
red  within. 

The  Tarantula  Spider  is  a  native  of 
Italy,  Cyprus,  Barbary,  and  the  East 
Indies.  This  animal  lives  in  fields,  and 
its  dwelling  is  in  the  ground,  about  four 
inches  deep,  half  an  inch  wide,  and 
closed  at  the  mouth  with  a  net.  These 
spiders  do  not  live  quite  a  year.  They  lay  about  seven  hundred  and 
thirty  eggs,  which  are  'hatched  in  the  spring.  The  parents  never 
survive  the  winter.  Inflammation,  difficulty  of  breathing,  and  sick- 
ness, are  said  to  be  the  invariable  consequences  of  the  bite  of  this 
insect. 


OF  THE  SCORPION  TRIBE. 

'.  SCORPIONS  may  be  considered  as  the  most  malignant  and  poisonous 
of  all  known  insects.  Their  poison  is  emitted  through  three  very 
small  holes  in  the  sting,  one  on  each  side  of  the  tip,  and  the  other  on 
the  upper  part.  In  California  there  is  a  species,  the  Scorpio  Americamis, 
which  is  eaten  by  the  inhabitants. 

These  animals  prey  en  worms  and  insects,  and  frequently  even  on 
one  another.  Their  offspring  are  produced  from  eggs,  of  which  one 
female  lays  a  considerable  number,  After  their  appearance,  they 
seem  to  undergo  no  further  change  than  perhaps  casting  their  skin 
from  time  to  time,  in  the  same  manner  as  spiders. 


THE   COMMON  SCORPION. 

This  like  other  Scorpions,  has  a  distant  resemblance  in  shape  to 
the  Lobster,  but  it  is  infinitely  more  ugly. 
The  head  appears,  as  it  were,  jointed  to  the 
breast;  and  the  mouth  is  furnished  with 
two  jaws;  the  under  one  of  which  is  divided 
into  two,  and  the  parts,  notched  into  each 
other,  answer  the  purpose  of  teeth  in  break- 
ing the  food.  On  each  side  of  the  head 
there  is  a  four-jointed  arm,  terminated  by 
THB  SCORPIO*.  a  c^aw»  somewhat  like  that  of  a  Lobster. 

The  belly  is  divided  into  seven  segments, 
from  the  lowest  of  which  the  tail  commences:  this,  in  the  present 


OF   THE    CRAB    TRIBE.  549 

species,  is  armed  with  a  hard,  pointed,  and  crooked  sting,  the  poison 
of  'vhich  is  very  powerful. 

In  some  parts  of  Italy  and  France  these  animals  are  among  the 
greatest  pests  that  can  plague  mankind ;  but  in  those  countries  of  the 
East,  where  they  grow  to  a  foot  in  length,  there  is  no  removing  a 
piece  of  furniture,  without  danger  of  being  stung  by  them.  There, 
we  are  told,  they  are  nearly  as  large  as  small  Lobsters. 

Many  experiments  have  been  made  to  ascertain  the  strength  of  tLeii 
poison ;  and,  in  warm  climates,  it  has  uniformly  been  found  fatal  to 
small  animals.  To  man  the  wound  is  extremely  painful.  The  place 
becomes  inflamed,  and  the  surrounding  parts  often  turn  livid,  and  re- 
quire to  be  carefully  dressed  in  order  to  prevent  mortification. 


OF- THE   CRAB  TRIBE. 

ALL  the  animals  of  this  tribe  have  their  bodies  covered  with  a  hard 
and  strong  shell.  The  head  is  united  to  the  thorax  or  breast  without 
any  joint. 

These  animals  live  chiefly  in  the  sea ;  some,  however,  inhabit  the 
fresh  waters,  and  a  few  live  on  land.  They  feed  variously,  on  aquatic 
or  marine  plants,  small  fish,  molluscae,  or  dead  bodies.  The  females 
carry  their  ova  under  their  tail,  which,  for  that  purpose,  is  in  general, 
much  broader  than  that  of  the  males. 

The  animals  emphatically  denominated  Crabs,  have  a  short,  flat  tail, 
bent  close  to  the  body  in  a  hollow  between  the  legs.  The  Hermit-crabs 
have  a  soft  tail,  without  any  crustaceous  covering :  this  they  fit  into 
empty  shells,  or  hollow  stones.  In  the  Lobsters  the  tail  is  the  princi- 
pal part  of  the  body,  being  a  very  strong  member,  and  employed  with 
great  advantage  both  in  swimming  and  leaping.  This  is  formed  of 
six  convex  segments,  which  lie  over  each  other,  somewhat  like  the  tiles 
of  a  house,  and  are  terminated  by  five  laminae,  or  thin  plates.  The 
former  are  united  by  loose  membranes,  which  admit  of  much  motion. 
At  the  angle  where  the  upper  and  lower  parts  join,  these  segments  are 
furnished  with  a  kind  of  crustaceous  fins,  bordered  with  hair,  and 
consisting  of  several  articulations,  called  by  naturalists  pedes  natatorii. 
The  fins  are  moved,  backward  and  forward,  and  a  little  outward  and 
inward,  by  small  muscles,  contained  within  each  articulation.  By 
means  of  these  it  is  that  the  animals  have  their  progressive  motion 
at  different  depths  in  the  water. 

Most  of  the  Crabs  have  eight  legs,  (a  few,  however,  have  six,  or  ten,) 
besides  two  large  claws,  which  serve  the  purposes  of  hands.  They 
have  two  eyes,  situated  on  tubercles  projecting  from  the  head,  and 
movable  in  any  direction.  When  the  extremities  of  these  are  viewed 
with  a  glass,  they  are  found  to  be  composed  of  a  multitude  of  lenses, 
like  the  eyes  of  insects.  For  a  sense  of  touch,  these  animals  are  fur- 
nished with  antennae,  and  palpi,  or  feelers.  They  have  likewise  a 
heart,  with  arterial  and  venous  vessels,  and  branchiae  or  gills  for  re- 
spiration. Their  jaws  are  transverse,  strong,  and  numerous ;  and  the 
stomach  is  furnished  with  internal  teeth. 


550  THE   LAND   CRAB — TliE   COMMON  CRAB. 


THE  LAND-CRAB. 

Land -crabs  are  natives  of  the  Bahamas,  and  of  most  of  the  other 
islands  between  the  tropics.  They  live  in  the 
clefts  of  rocks,  the  hollows  of  trees,  or  in  holes 
which  they  dig  for  themselves  in  the  mountains 
About  the  months  of  April  and  May  in  every  year 
they  descend  in  a  body  of  some  millions  at  a  time, 
to  the  sea-coast,  to  deposit  their  spawn,  and  at  this 
season  the  whole  ground  seems  alive  with  them. 
They  march  in  a  direct  line  to  their  place  of  des- 
tination, and  are  said  seldom  to  turn  out  of  their 
way  on  account  of  intervening  obstacles.  Even  if  they  encounter  a 
lofty  wall,  or  a  house,  they  will  attempt  to  scale  it.  If  they  arrive  at 
a  river,  they  wind  along  the  course  of  the  stream.  They  march  very 
slowly,  bein^  sometimes  three  months  or  upward  in  gaining  the  shore. 
When  arrived  at  the  coast,  they  prepare  to  cast  their  spawn;  for 
this  purpose  they  go  to  the  edge  of  the  water,  and  suffer  the  waves  to 
wash  twice  or  thrice  over  their  bodies.  They  then  withdraw,  iD 
order  to  seek  a  lodging  upon  land.  In  the  mean  time  the  spawr. 
is  extruded  in  a  bunch  from  the  body,  and  adheres  to  the  under  parts 
of  the  tail.  This  bunch  becomes  as  large  as  a  hen's  egg,  and  exactly 
resembles  the  roe  of  a  Herring.  In  this  state  they  again,  for  the  last 
time,  seek  the  shore,  and  shaking  oft'  the  spawn  into  the  water,  leave 
it  to  the  heat  of  the  sun,  to  be  brought  to  maturity.  About  two- 
thirds  of  the  eggs  are  devoured  by  the  fish  which  annually  frequent 
the  shores  in  expectation  of  this  prey.  Those  that  escape  are  hatched 
under  the  sand;  and,  not  long  after  this,  millions  of  the  little  Crabj^ 
may  be  seen  quitting  the  shore,  and  slowly  travelling  towards  the 
mountains. 

The  old  ones,  in  their  return,  are  feeble,  lean,  and  so  inactive,  that 
they  are  scarcely  able  to  crawl  along;  and  their  flesh  at  this  time 
changes  its  color.  Many  of  them  are  obliged  to  continue  in  the  level 
parts  of  the  country  till  they  recover,  making  holes  in  the  earth, 
which  they  block  up  with  leaves  and  dirt.  In  these  they  cast  their 
old  shells,  and  continue  nearly  motionless  for  six  or  seven  days,  when 
they  become  so  fat  as  to  be  delicious  food:  After  this  they  march 
slowly  back  to  the  mountains. 


THE    COMMON,    OR   BLACK- CLAWED    CRAB. 

The  most  remarkable  circunfstance  ia  the  history  of  these  animals, 
is  the  changing  of  their  shells  and  broken  claws.  The  former,  is  done 
once  a  year,  and  usually  between  Christmas  and  Easter.  During  the 
operation  they  retire  among  the  cavities  of  the  rocks  and  under  great 
stones ;  and  I)r.  Darwin  (from  the  authority  of  a  friend  who  had  been 


THE  COMMON,  OR  BLACK-CLAWED  CRAB. 


551 


engaged  in  surveying  the  sea-coasts)  says,  that  a  hard-shelled  Crab 
always  stands  sentinel,  to  prevent  the  sea-insects  from  injuring  the  rest 
in  their  defenceless  state ;  and  that,  from  his  appearance,  the  fishermen 
know  where  to  find  the  soft  ones,  which  they  use  for  baits  in  catching 
fish ;  adding  that,  though  the  hard-shelled  Crab,  when  hf  is  on  duty, 
advances  boldly  to  meet  the  foe,  and  will  with  difficulty  quit  the  field, 
yet  at  other  times  he  shows  great  timidity,  and  is  very  expeditious  in 
effecting  his  escape :  if,  however,  he  be  often  interrupted,  he  will,  like  the 


CKAB  MOULTING. 


Spider,  pretend  to  be  dead,  and  will  watch  an  opportunity  to  sink 
himself  into  the  sand,  keeping  only  his  eyes  above. 

When  the  claw  of  a  Crab  is  bruised,  it  bleeds,  and  the  animal  seems, 
by  its  motions,  to  experience  much  pain.  For  a  while  it  moves  it 
from  side  to  side;  then  holding  it  perfectly  steady  in  a  direct  position, 
the  claw  on  a  sudden  gives  a  gentle  crack,  and  the  wounded  part 
drops  off;  not  at  the  joint,  as  might  be  imagined,  but  in  the  smoothest 
part  of  the  limb. 

Crabs  are  naturally  quarrelsome,  and  frequently  have  serious  con- 
tests, by  means  of  those  formidable  weapons,  their  great  claws.  With 
these  they  lay  hold  of  their  adversary's  legs;  and  wherever  they  seize, 
it  is  not  easy  to  make  them  forego  their  hold.  The  animal  seized  has, 
therefore,  no  alternative  but  to  leave  part  of  the  leg  behind  in  token 
of  victory. 


552          THE  HERMIT  CRAB THE  LOBSTER. 


THE  HERMIT  CRAB. 

Having  no  shell  to  any  part  but  its  nippers,  the  Hermit  Crab 
supplies  by  art  what  is  denied  to  it  by 
nature:  for,  taking  possession  of  the 
deserted  shell  of  some  other  animal,  it 
occupies  that,  till,  by  becoming  too 
large  for  its  habitation,  it  is  under  the 
necessity  of  changing  it. 

It  is  curious  enough,  in  some  coun- 
tries, to  observe  this  animal  busily 
parading  the  sea-shore,  along  that  line 
of  pebbles  and  shells,  which  is  formed 
by  the  furthest  wave;  still,  however, 
dragging  its  old  incommodious  habita- 
tion at  its  tail,  unwilling  to  part  with  THE  HERMIT  CRAB 
one  shell,  even  though  a  troublesome 

appendage,  till  it  can  meet  with  another  more  convenient.  ±t  stops 
first  at  one  shell,  turns  it,  passes  by ;  then  goes  to  another,  contem- 
plates that  for  a  while,  and,  slipping  its  tail  from  the  old  habitation, 
tries  on  the  new  one.  If  this  be  found  inconvenient,  it  quickly 
resumes  the  old  one.  It  thus  frequently  changes,  till  at  length  it 
finds  one  that  is  light,  roomy  and  commodious.  To  this.it  adheres, 
though  the  shell  be  sometimes  so  large  as  to  hide  both  the  body  and 
claws  of  the  animal. 

But  many  trials  and  many  combats  are  sometimes  to  be  sustained 
by  the  Hermit  Crab,  before  he  is  thus  equipped:  for  there  is  often  a 
contest  between  two  of  these  animals  for  some  favorite  shell.  They 
both  endeavor  to  take  possession.  They  strike  with  their  claws,  and 
bite  each  other,  till  the  weakest  is  compelled  to  yield.  The  victor 
then  takes  possession,  and,  in  his  new  acquisition,  parades  backward 
and  forward  on  the  strand,  before  his  envious  antagonist.  These 
Crabs  feed  on  small  marine  animals  of  various  kinds. 


THE   LOBSTER. 

These  animals  are  extremely  prolific.  Dr.  Baster  says  he  counted 
twelve  thousand  four  hundred  and  forty-four  eggs  under  the  tail  of  a 
female  Lobster,  besides  those  that  remained  in  the  body  unprotruded. 
Thov  deposit  these  eggs  in  the  sand,  where  they  are  soon  hatched. 

Like  the  rest  of  their  tribe,  they  are  said  annually  to  cast  their 
shells.  Previously  to  putting  off  their  old  shell,  they  appear  sick, 
languid,  and  restless.  They  acquire  an  entirely  new  covering  in  a 
few  days;  but  during  the  time  that  they  remain  defenceless,  they 
seek  some  lonely  place,  lest  they  should  be  attacked  and  devoured  by 
such  of  their  brethren  as  are  not  in  the  same  weak  condition. 

At  the  same  time  that  they  cast  their  shell,  they  change  also  theil 


554 


THE   PRAWN,    AND   SHRIMP. 


THE  WESTER. 


stomach  and  intestines.    The  animal,  while  it  is  moulting,  is  said  to 

feed  upon  its  former  sto- 
mach, which  wastes  by 
degrees,  and  is  at  length 
replaced  by  a  new  one. 

Like  some  of  the  Crabs, 
these  animals  are  said  to 
be  attached  to  particular 
parts  of  the  sea. 

The  pincers  of  one  of 
the  Lobster's  large  clawa 
are  furnished  with  knobs, 
and  those  of  the  other  are 
always  serrated.  With 
the  former  it  keeps  fina 
hold  of  the  stalks  of  sub- 
marine plants,  and  with  the  latter  it  cuts  and  minces  its  food  very 
dexterously.  The  knobbed  or  numb  claw,  as  the  fishermen  call  it,  ia 
sometimes  on  the  right,  and  sometimes  on  the  left  side,  indifferently. 
It  is  more  dangerous  for  a  person  to  be  seized  by  the  cutting  claw 
than  the  other;  but,  in  either  case,  the  quickest  way  of  getting  dis- 
engaged from  the  creature,  is  to  pluck  off  its  claw. 

In  the  water  these  animals  are  able  to  ran  nimbly  upon  their  Ieg3 
or  small  claws;  and,  if* alarmed,  they  can  spjing,  tail  foremost,  to  a 
surprising  distance,  almost  as  swiftly  as  a  bird  can  fly.  The  fishermen 
can  see  them  pass  about  thirty  feet,  and,  by  the  swiftness  of  their 
motion,  it  is  supposed  that  they  may  go  much  further.  When 
frightened,  they  will  spring  from  a  considerable  distance  to  their  hold 
in  the  rock ;  and,  what  is  not  less  surprising  than  true,  will  throw 
themselves  into  their  hold  in  that  manner,  through  an  entrance 
scarcely  sufficient  for  their  bodies  to  pass. 

The  circumstance  of  Lobsters  losing  their  claws  at  thunder-claps, 
or  the  sound  of  cannon,  is  well  authenticated ;  and  the  fishermen  are 
often  jestingly  threatened  with  a  salute  by  the  sailors.  The  restoration 
of  claws  thus  lost  may  always  be  observed ;  for  these  never  again 
grow  to  their  former  size.  When  the  claws  of  Lobsters  become  incon- 
venient to  the  animals,  from  being  injured,  they  always  break  them  of£ 

THE   PRAWN,   AND   SHRIMP. 

Prawns  are  chiefly  found  among  sea-weed,  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
rocks  at  a  little  distance  from  the  shore.  They  seldom  enter  tht 
mouths  of  rivers.  Their  usual  mode  of  swimming'is  on  their  backs, 
but  when  threatened  with  danger,  they  throw  themselves  on  one  side, 
and  spring  backward  to  very  consderable  distances.  Thej  feed  on  aJl 
the  smaller  kinds  of  marine  animals,  which  they  seize  and  devour 
with  great  voracitv.  In  their  turn,  they  are  the  prey  of  numerous 
species  of  fish  ;  altnough  the  sharp  and  serrated  horn  in  front  of  their 
head  con-stitutes  a  very  powerful  weapon  of  defence  against  the 
attacks  nf  all  the  smaller  kinds. 


555 


556 


THE    PRAWN    AND  -SHRIMP. 


Being  in  great  request  for  the  table,  these  are  eagerly  sought  for  by 
fishermen,  who  catch  them  either  in  osier  baskets,  similar  to  those  em- 
ployed in  catching  Lobsters,  or  in  a  kind  of  nets,  called  putting  nets. 
These,  which  are  well  known  to  all  frequenters  of  the  sea-coasts,  are 
five  or  six  feet  in  width,  and  flat  at  the  bottom;  and  are  pushed  along 
in  the  shallow  water,  upon  the  sandy  shores,  by  a  man  who  walks  behind. 
When  fresh  the  color  of  the  Prawn  is  somewhat  cinereous ;  but,  when 
boiled,  it  changes  to  a  beautiful  light  red.  The  appearance  of  the  Prawn 
in  full  swimming  action  is  very  elegant.  The  body  is  transparent,  and 
the  front  feet  are  generally  laid  backward  and  tucked  under  the  body 
like  the  fore-legs  of  a  stag  in  the  act  of  leaping. 


At  the  side  of  the  head  there  is  frequently  to  be  observed  a  la. ore 
and  apparently  unnatural  lump.  This,  if  examined,  will  be  found  to 
contain,  under  the  thoracic  plate,  a  species  of  crustaceous  animal, 
which  occupies  the  whole  cavity,  and  there  feeds  and  perfects  its 
growth. 


THE   CRAW    FISH. 


557 


The  Shrimp  is  much  smaller  than  the  Prawn,  and  is  by  no  means 

so  much  esteemed  for  the  table  aa 
this.  It  frequents  sandy  sea- shores 
in  great  abundance,  and  not  unfre- 
quently  enters  harbors,  and  even  the 
ditches  and  ponds  of  salt-marshes. 
Its  habits  and  economy  are,  in  most 
respects,  similar  to  those  of  the 
Prawn. 


THE   SHRIMP. 


THE  COMMON,    OR   FRESH- WATER   CRAW-FISH. 

Craw-fish  are  found  in  many  rivers,  edged  in  holes  whicW  fhey 
form  in  the  clayey  banks;  and  their  presence  is  generally  esteemed  an 
evidence  of  the  goodness  of  the  water.  They  are  frequently  caught  by 
sticks  split  at  the  end,  with  a  bait  inserted  in  the  cleft,  and  stuck  in  the 


558 


THE   GREAT    CENTIPEDE. 


mud  at  the  distance  of  a  few  feet  from  each  other.  These  sticks,  after 
remaining  some  time,  are  taken  up,  and  generally  with  an  animal 
adhering  to  each.  They  are  gently  drawn  out,  and  a  basket  is  put 
under  to  receive  the  animals,  which  drop  off  when  brought  to  the  surface. 


THE   CENTIPEDE   AND  MILLZFIDK. 


THE   GREAT  CENTIPEDE. 

The  Great  Centipedes  vary  much  both  in  size  and  color.  Some  of 
them  are  of  a  deep  reddish  brown,  others  of  a  yellow  ochre  cv>lort 
Avid  yellow,  or  tinged  with  red ;  and  they  are  sometimes  seen  more 
than  a  foot  in  length.  Their  legs  terminate  in  very  sharp  hooks,  or 
nails  of  a  shining  black  color. 

None  of  the  insect  tribe,  the  Scorpions  excepted,  are  so  formidable 
in  appearance  as 
the  Centipede. 
It  is  found  in 
the  East  and 
West  Indies,  and 
in  various  parts 
of  Africa,  inhab- 
iting chiefly  the 
woods,  where  it 
is  preyed  upon 
by  the  different 
species  of  snakes. 
It  is,  however, 
sometimes  found 

in  houses,  and  is  said  to  be  so  common  in  particular  districts,  that  the 
inhabitants  are  obliged  to  have  the  feet  of  their  beds  placed  in  vessels 
of  water,  in  order  to  prevent  their  being  annoyed  during  the  night  by 
these  horrible  reptiles. 

Gronovius  says,  that  all  the  legs  of  this  animal  are  venomous ;  but 
its  most  formidable  weapons  are  the  two  sharp  and  hooked  instru- 
merits,  that  are  placed  under  the  mouth,  with  which  it  destroys  its 
prey.  At  the  extremity  of  each  of  these  there  is  a  small  opening, 
through  which  it  is  supposed  the  Centipede  emits  the  poisonous  fluid 
into  the  wound  inflicted  by  the  fangs. 

Leeuwenhoek,  desirous  of  ascertaining  some  facts  relative  to  the 
poison  emitted  by  the  Centipede,  placed  a  large  fly  within  the  reach 
of  one  rf  these  animals.  lie  seized  it  between  a  pair  of  the  middle 
feet,  then  passed  it  from  one  pair  to  the  next,  till  it  was  brought  under 
the  fangs  ;  which  were  plunged  into  its  body,  and  it  died  instantly. 
M.  St.  Piere  says,  that,  in  the  Isle  of  France,  his  dog  was  bitten  by  a 
Centipede  upwards  of  six  inches  in  length,  and  that  the  wound  became 
ulcerous,  and  was  three  weeks  in  healing.  He  was  highly  diverted 
in  observing  one  of  these  animals  overcome  by  a  vast  number  of  Ants, 
that  attacked  it  in  conjunction,  and,  after  having  seized  it  by  all  ita 
legs,  bore  it  along,  as  workmen  would  have  done  a  large  piece  of 
timber.  The  poison  of  the  Centipede  is  not  more  injurious  than  that 
of  the  Soorpion,  and  seldom  proves  fatal  to  the  larger  animals. 


U.C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


